A package containing 1,500 disposable protective masks that were approved by the national authoritative testing agency was sent by Quanzhou city in East China’s Fujian province to Tokyo, capital of Japan, on March 4, according to local officials.

They said this was the first batch of anti-epidemic materials donated by Quanzhou Tianhou Temple to the Tokyo Mazu Temple, helping overseas Chinese and Mazu worshippers in Japan.

It is expected to arrive in Tokyo on March 10.

The Quanzhou Tianhou Temple donates 1,500 disposable protective masks to the Tokyo Mazu Temple in Japan on March 4. [Photo/qzwb.com]

Since late February, Japan’s novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic situation has become increasingly serious, with a lack of anti-epidemic materials.

After learning that the Tokyo Mazu Temple was temporarily closed due to the epidemic and that overseas Chinese in Japan lacked masks, the Quanzhou Tianhou Temple offered to help and raised funds.

Officials said the Tokyo Mazu Temple has expressed its deep gratitude to the Quanzhou Tianhou Temple.

Located in Shinjuku district, the Tokyo Mazu Temple was built in 2013. It is the largest Mazu temple in Tokyo and also the spiritual home of the overseas Chinese in Japan.

The "Wenling Mazu" enshrined in the Tokyo Mazu Temple was separated from Quanzhou Tianhou Temple.

The Quanzhou Tianhou Temple was built in 1196 during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It is the oldest, largest and highest-standard temple to worship the famous sea goddess, Mazu.

Since the epidemic outbreak, Quanzhou Tianhou Temple has donated nearly 150,000 yuan ($21,565.98) in epidemic prevention materials.