US military helicopters to deploy to Japan's earthquake zone

More than 220 people are confirmed to have died in the Jan 1 quake. - Reuters

TOKYO: US military helicopters in Japan will deploy to the earthquake-hit Noto peninsula on the country's west coast to help with relief efforts, Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara said on Tuesday (Jan 16).

Japan has asked the US forces to help deliver relief materials as its Self-Defence Forces are currently focusing on transporting evacuees, Kihara said.