BEIJING - China's Ministry of Defense said Tuesday the country's military is willing to offer quake-relief materials and rescue teams to Japan after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the country last week.

Apart from relief materials, the armed forces could also send medical, rescue, or disease prevention teams or a hospital ship to the quake zone as soon as possible to "help the Japanese overcome the difficulties," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Defense Minister Liang Guanglie last Friday conveyed his condolences to Japan over the massive earthquake and expressed willingness to offer help.

The massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami, which hit off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, have left thousands dead or missing and caused severe damage.