Australian Gov't Confirms Safety of All Australians in Japan

The Australian federal government on Monday confirmed the safety of every Australian in disaster-struck areas of Japan.

Earlier on Monday morning, Australian consular officials in Japan were still trying to confirm the whereabouts of five Australians in areas affected by the quake and tsunami.

According to Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, consular officials had contacted or otherwise confirmed the safety of them.

"It's possible that more names may emerge," but in terms of the current unaccounted on list, the number has now been reduced to zero by officials, Rudd told parliament in Canberra on Monday.

"I would commend publicly the work of our consular officials who have worked around the clock for the last 10 days in the most arduous of circumstances."

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop welcomed the "extremely good news."

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard earlier announced to donate 9.95 million U.S. dollars to support disaster-struck Japan, in order to help Japan get back on its feet after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The money will be given to the Red Cross to provide emergency relief and equipment to devastated communities.