A Japanese medical team arrived in China's quake-ravaged Sichuan Province on Tuesday evening to help with the rescue and relief efforts in the province.

The 23-member team included four doctors, seven nurses, seven pharmaceutists and five coordinators. They also took five tons of relief materials including X-ray and blood testing machines with them.

Tajiri Kazuhiro, head of the team, said there were surgeons, physicians and pediatricians among the members.

He said the team would begin work as early as possible.

China has agreed to accept medical teams from Germany, Italy, Russia and Japan for quake relief.

The death toll from last week's massive earthquake rose to 40,075 nationwide as of 6:00 PM Tuesday, while 247,645 people were injured, according to the Information Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2008)