DFAT website helps Aussies help Japan

The Federal Government has devised a one-stop Web tool to help Australians support Japanese people affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March.

Foreign minister Kevin Rudd on Thursday told a group of more than 70 foreign envoys in Brisbane he had been overwhelmed by the number of Australians wanting to help after the disaster struck Japan's main island of Honshu.

The 'Australia Helps Japan' Web portal, run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), will provide an immediate access point for any aid donors, big and small, he said.

Individuals, companies and groups will be able to identify the relief agencies working in the affected areas, he said.

The portal also explains how someone can link up with local schools, authorities and the network of sister cities and other relationships between Japan and Australia.

"We wanted to provide a one-stop shop for the Australian community to go to to identify how they can help Japan," Rudd said.

"It might be a very small gesture, it might be a very large gesture... So, this is one small way which we, in Australia, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, have decided to assist."

Rudd also said a DFAT Twitter account would be set up so the department could send information as effectively and as quickly as possible to Australians travelling overseas.

The foreign minister on Thursday announced that Bruce Miller would be Australia's next ambassador to Japan, replacing the long-serving Murray McLean.

"He will take up his position at a time when Japan will be working hard on the enormous rebuilding task following the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami," Rudd said.

Miller is currently the Deputy Director-General of intelligence agency the Office of National Assessments (ONA).

Previously, he was a DFAT senior career officer, has twice served in Australia's Tokyo embassy and speaks Japanese.

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