A city in western Japan is sending a trailer truck equipped with washing machines to an area in central Japan that was devastated by the New Year's Day earthquake.

A ceremony was held in the city of Yabu in Hyogo prefecture on Monday before dispatching the mobile laundry to Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. A wide swath of the disaster zone in the Noto Peninsula remains without water.

Yabu City asked a contracted trucking company to send its container, which is equipped with nine washing machines for quake survivors.

As the ceremony started, a moment of silence was observed.

Yabu Mayor Hirose Sakae said quake survivors are looking forward to the arrival of the mobile laundry as the need for washing is increasing in areas without water supply.

The mayor urged the mobile laundry staff to provide considerate support by catering to the needs of survivors.

Yamamoto Yosuke, the president of the trucking company, said he is relieved to be able to finally respond to requests for the mobile laundry from quake survivors that he heard on social media. He added that the company wants to contribute to an early recovery of the city.

The trailer truck is due to arrive at Uedo Elementary School in Suzu City on Tuesday. Washing machines can be used for free.