U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States stands ready to help the people of Japan after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the country's east coast.
In a statement Friday, Mr. Obama offered his condolences to those who lost loved ones, and said the alliance between the United States and Japan is "unshakeable."
A U.S. Navy command ship is on its way to Japan from Singapore to provide humanitarian assistance.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the world is "shocked and saddened" by the images of destruction. He said the United Nations will do "anything and everything" it can to help.
The International Federation of the Red Cross says it is monitoring the situation closely with the Japanese Red Cross and other local organizations.
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao also expressed deep sympathy for the Japanese government and people. The director of China's Earthquake Administration told Xinhua news agency rescuers are prepared to go to Japan to help with relief efforts.
The South Korean government has initial plans to send 40 rescuers. South Korea's Yonhap news agency says about 910,000 South Koreans live in Japan.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev also says his country is ready to provide humanitarian aid to Japan.