Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura announced Friday afternoon the Japanese government's decision to give 500 million yen (about 4.81 million U.S. dollars) in additional capital and material relief aid to China over the earthquake which strongly jolted southwestern China 's Sichuan province earlier this month.

Japan plans to transport 1,200 tents to Sichuan by a chartered flight as early as next week as the first batch of the newly- decided assistance, the top government spokesman said at a press conference.

Some independent bodies, enterprises and organizations had raised requests to provide material assistance, and the government would arrange transportation schedule, Machimura added.

The Japanese government has provided 500 million yen (about 4. 81 million U.S. dollars) in capital and material relief aid to China shortly after the devastating earthquake.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2008)