TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Tuesday that Taiwan is prepared to offer any help Japan needs after a powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off Aomori Prefecture on Monday, CNA reported.

Taiwan and Japan “have always supported each other” in the face of disasters, Lai said on X. He expressed his condolences for those hurt by the quake and said he hopes people in the affected areas can return to normal life soon.

The magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred at around 11:15 p.m. on Monday off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The agency issued tsunami warnings across Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures, which were later lifted.

As of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 35 people were injured in the quake, per TV Asahi. A total of 114,000 people were ordered to evacuate, according to the Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said the government has set up an emergency response team and is working to fully assess the situation. She urged residents to follow local updates closely and be ready to evacuate as soon as they feel any shaking, per CNA.

Japan Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said about 480 residents took shelter at the Hachinohe Air Base. He added that 18 Self-Defense Forces helicopters were deployed to assess the damage, per CNA.