A HATFIELD-based drug company has pledged �1.5million towards the relief effort in Japan, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that has devastated the country.

While Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai has pledged 200 million yen (around �1.5m) in aid relief to families affected by Friday’s disaster, employees at the company’s European Knowledge Centre in Mosquito Way are raising as much cash as they can for the Japanese Red Cross Society – with Eisai promising to match the total amount.

Cressida Robson, Eisai’s European communications manager, said some employees in Tokyo had to spend the night in the office after the disaster, after travel to and from the city became impossible.

She added the company had set up a taskforce in Japan and would be supplying medical supplies to the injured.

“It was a really worrying day,” she said. “There were rolling blackouts and telephone lines were down. But by the end of the day all of our employees have managed to get in touch with somebody.

“We’re really glad to know that all of our employees and their families are safe.”

Another Japanese company with a base in Hatfield is Mitsubishi Electric, in Travellers Lane. A spokesman confirmed this week the electrical manufacturer was donating 500 million yen (almost �400,000) to support quake victims.

Two of the company’s major business operations in Japan were damaged in the quake, although no one was hurt.

You can donate to the Japanese Red Cross Society aid efforts by clicking on the link above.