The Japanese government on Monday expressed its readiness to offer “utmost support” to Indonesia, two days after the eruption of a small island volcano in the southeastern Asian country triggered a tsunami that killed over 280 people.

In a message addressed to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono offered his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and hoped for the early recovery of the devastated areas.

“The Japanese government is ready to provide utmost support to Indonesia,” Kono said in the message.

According to Indonesia’s disaster agency, the death toll from the tsunami has reached more than 280 and about 1,000 others have been injured.

Indonesian local meteorological authorities confirmed that the tsunami, with a height that ranged between 28 and 90 centimeters, was generated by an underwater landslide caused by the eruption at 9:03 p.m. Saturday of Anak Krakatau, an active volcano located in the country’s Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra.

Marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Indonesia this year, Japan has maintained friendly relations and deep economic linkages with the world’s biggest Muslim country.

According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Japan has long been the biggest aid provider for Indonesia in terms of official development assistance.

Japan has also been the second-largest investor, with a total value of $5 billion in 2017, following Singapore, according to Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board.

==Kyodo