A World Wide Web site created by representatives of Japanese firms in Indonesia has become a crucial source of information for those both in and out of the country.
Yorozu Indonesia, the site maintained by representatives of Japanese firms in Jakarta, opened two years ago to enable Japanese in Indonesia to exchange information about health care, entertainment, sightseeing and other areas.
Since the riots began, the number of users of the site has suddenly increased, and members are posting messages to let people know they are safe, to exchange information on evacuation flights and to report on the riots and other events.
A company representative who has left the country wrote about what he saw in Jakarta and at the airport and offered advice to those preparing to evacuate.
When students of a Japanese school became trapped on campus Thursday night, they wrote about the situation in the building and surrounding area. A parent wrote to thank the students for the information and encouraged them to stay calm.
The address of the Web site is: http://www.rad.net.id/yorozu/