Japan's major air conditioning manufacturers have pledged money to support the aid efforts in areas hit by the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami which hit the country on Friday.
Most of the air conditioning factories are located to the south of the epicentre but many of the same Japanese corporations have IT, electronics and semi-conductor factories in the area affected.

Mitsubishi Electric has said it will donate a total of 500 m yen (£3.8 m) to aid and support victims affected by the disaster and will also coordinate a matching gift programme, through which the company will match contributions to donations made by employees worldwide. The company has also said it will consider donations of company products and other goods.

Fujitsu has pledged 100 m yen (£800,000) and the necessary relief supplies to support recovery efforts.

A company statement said it was committed to restoring damaged IT systems in the regions with the highest priority placed on the lifeline systems such as electric power, water, gas, hospitals, and police and fire departments.

Panasonic announced on Saturday that it would donate 300 m yen (£2.3 m) and necessary supplies including 10,000 radios, 10,000 lamps and 500,000 batteries.