The Japanese government has decided Tuesday to give 500 million yen (about 5 million U.S. dollars) of emergency grants in aid to China to support the earthquake disaster relief efforts, Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura announced in the evening.

Komura said the Japanese government made the decision after receiving a request from Beijing, and will consider giving further aid if necessary.

Earlier in the day, Komura and Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura also announced Japan's preparedness to provide rescue and medical assistance as well as aid such as food and tents to China's quake-hit areas.

Disaster relief teams, medical teams comprised of doctors and nurses, dispatch of helicopters, and other forms of assistance are all on standby if necessary, the two ministers said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)