The Taiwanese search-and-rescue team has set out for Sendai and Iwate respectively soon after arriving in Japan, hoping to assist local government's rescue group with their experience in dealing with natural disasters.

The Republic of China's 35-member special rescue team departed for Japan on Monday, and is coordinating its efforts with a Japanese NPO.

The team is comprised of many workers that were mobilized to Indonesia following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and brought with them to Iwate Prefecture rescue equipment, goods, and commodities.

According to team leader Lu Cheng-tsung, the team has enough equipment to be self-sufficient for one week so as not to additionally burden the local government.

The squad includes doctors, nurses, and a university professor that specializes in underwater rescue missions.

On their way to Iwate Prefecture, the team had to pass through Fukushima Prefecture.

The entire trip took almost eight hours, and the team slept and ate inside their vehicle to save time.

Taiwan's other rescue team to Japan arrived in Sendai on the 14th and has been assisting with search and rescue efforts in the area.