In the wake of a deadly earthquake in Japan, a senior Japanese prelate is calling for financial donations to the Church’s relief effort in the stricken area – and saying the local government is not accepting outside volunteer support.

A magnitude 7.1 temblor struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on July 28, leaving at least 34 people dead and thousands of others displaced.

The Archbishop of Tokyo, Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, is calling for urgent financial aid in support of the Church’s ongoing efforts to assist thousands of people affected by a deadly earthquake in Japan last week.

Kikuchi is urging the faithful to support relief efforts through Caritas Japan and the Catholic Diocese of Fukuoka, which are coordinating assistance for affected communities.

“The local government has strong control over such situations,” Kikuchi told Crux Now, “and often slows down the relief efforts of NGOs.”

Kikuchi told Crux Now local authorities in the quake-stricken prefecture are not allowing outside volunteers or material donations at present.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the stricken prefecture on Monday and told reporters the government “is firmly committed to doing everything we can.”

“We will promptly examine what further assistance the government can provide to the affected areas and those impacted by the disaster,” Takaichi said. “Taking into account the requests made by Governor [Takashi] Kimura [of Kumamoto Prefecture],” the prime minister also said, “we will continue to act proactively and without delay.”

“The local government is not yet accepting volunteers from outside Kumamoto prefecture at this moment,” Kikuchi told Crux Now on Wednesday.

“Also,” the cardinal said, “the local government is not accepting material relief goods.”

“We are advising our people to wait for the development of local preparations,” he said.

The Bishop of Fukuoka, Josep Abella, told Crux Now the quake damaged infrastructure, severely affecting water availability.

“The greatest need is water supply,” Abella told Crux Now, “and it is going to take some time before normal functioning returns.”

Kikuchi – who is president of Caritas Internationalis, also told Crux Now Japan has a well-planned emergency response system, but people do slip through the cracks.

He said the Church is there especially for those left behind.

“As we’ve experienced many times in Japan after other major disasters,” Kikuchi said, “there are not a few people the public assistance misses, either because their situation is peculiar or because of their nationality.”

“The Catholic Church is always ready to support those who are forgotten,” he said.

One of the victims of the quake was a 24-year-old Vietnamese man, Tran Van Son, who had come to Japan in January of this year to train as a technical intern at a factory in the stricken prefecture.

Tran was killed by falling debris at his workplace, leaving a young widow and 7-month-old child, now orphaned of his father, behind.

Tetori church in Kumamoto City hosted the funeral rites for Tran on Saturday, August 1.

Kikuchi also said hot summer weather is making life even harder for those affected by the quake.

“As Japan is island country,” Kikuchi said, “it is not only hot but humid.”

“The people who lost their houses are suffering from this temperature,” Kikuchi said, “and those working for victims are also suffering from heat.”

Kikuchi also told Crux Now a number of people prefer to stay with their damaged houses rather than move to the public shelter.

“So,” he said, “there are many realities which need attention of us for continuous support.”

“The Catholic Church is always ready to offer assistance to people in need,” the cardinal said.