Fundraising activities were organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Japan, alumni associations of universities, scientific institutions, Ito-Yokado and Toyota, among others.

"It is the virus, not the people, that is bad," an official at Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said at a news conference in response to reports of discriminations abroad.

Public health crises can serve as an opportunity to improve relations. After the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Japan sent a rescue team to China and provided 1 billion yen in assistance.