SYDNEY: Australia on Monday confirmed the safety of all of its citizens unaccounted for in the worst hit areas of Japan when a massive 9.0 magnitude quake and tsunami struck more than a week ago.
Foreign ministry workers spent 10 days contacting Australians in Japan, beginning with an early list of more than 130 people who were thought to be in the disaster zone of northeastern Japan when the disaster hit.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said consular officials had now touched base with all nationals on the "unaccounted for" list.
"It's possible that more names may emerge," Rudd told parliament.
"But in terms of the current unaccounted for list, that number has now by officials been reduced to zero."
Earlier Monday, the government said it would donate Aus$10 million ($10 million) to Japan as it recovers from the double catastrophe that has left close to 22,000 people dead or missing.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard also led a condolence motion in parliament.
"It is hard for any of us to come to grips with the scale of this disaster," she said.
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