By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Friday responded to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's message of sympathy over an earthquake on New Year Day.
Kishida told lawmakers at parliament that Japan "received messages from many countries and regions.”
"We have also expressed our gratitude for the message of sympathy" from Kim, he said, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News.
Last month, after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Japan, Kim expressed his “deep sympathy and condolences” to Kishida and bereaved families and victims.
It was Kim's first-ever message to Kishida, as the two countries have no diplomatic ties.
The last time, it was in 1995 when Japan received a condolence message from North Korea following a disaster.
Thousands of people remain displaced as the death toll climbed to 238 due to the earthquake that hit Japan last month.
According to the latest figures, more than 14,000 people are still displaced, while 19 are still missing.