A Kobe-based group of volunteers said Monday they will support and encourage Taiwanese exchange students in Japan with financial difficulties to return to Taiwan so that they can assist with the recovery from last Tuesday's earthquake there.

Osyo Yamada, representative of Kobe Genkimura, a volunteer group supporting those who suffered from the 1995 Hanshin earthquake, said the group, together with the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, have successfully negotiated with Taiwan's Ever Green Airlines to offer their vacant seats free of charge to any Taiwanese students who wish to return.

Two Ever Green flights to Taiwan that each leave from Kansai and Fukuoka International Airports have been offered to the volunteers since Monday, and the first group of Taiwanese students are scheduled to leave today, they said.

Yamada said the earthquake made him think first of the Taiwanese exchange students in Japan. The number of students enrolled in Japanese universities, language schools as well as special schools, is estimated at about 5,600, he said.

"The exchange students will be the leaders of Taiwan in 10 or 20 years time, and I think it's important that they go back and see the situation for themselves and think about what they can do," said Yamada, who also experienced the earthquake in Kobe.

The two groups have also started negotiating with other airlines that have flights to Taiwan to support their activity, they said.

Taiwanese students who wish to return to Taiwan should contact Kobe Genkimura at (078) 811-0359 or fax (078)-842-2071.