Heads of seven well-known Japanese groups engaged in promoting Japan-China relations released on Thursday a joint statement over the May 12 earthquake which strongly jolted southwest China's Sichuan Province, conveying condolences and sympathy to the victims, according to related materials reaching Xinhua Friday.

"We got to know the huge importance China had been attaching to the rescue and reconstruction efforts through President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao's going to the devastated region in person to direct the rescue efforts and to calm local people," the statement said.

"We believe that the Chinese people will unite to overcome difficulties, conquer the unprecedented natural disaster and succeed in rebuilding their homeland," leaders of the seven groups added.

"Our groups are busy preparing for transporting to China donations including medical equipment, medicines, tents and other disaster-relief stuffs," they said.

The statement said the seven groups are still collecting donations from around Japan, and will boost support for the reconstruction of the quake-hit areas from both the Japanese official and civil fields.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2008)