The bodies of seven Japanese unaccounted-for in Sri Lanka since Sunday's devastating tsunami were identified by family members in Colombo on Thursday, according to Foreign Ministry officials.

The seven were among the 17 Japanese on a package tour organized by Tokyo-based travel agency Tairiku Ryoyu.

In all, eight from the tour group have now been identified. One body was identified Wednesday.

Four members of the group are still missing, while the remaining five, including 57-year-old tour organizer Haruo Okajima, are all safe.

The group was visiting a national park in southern Sri Lanka when the tsunami hit.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo on Thursday, Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said his ministry has asked several nations hit by tsunami to take steps to make identification of bodies through DNA testing possible in the days ahead.

According to Machimura, visual identification has proved increasingly difficult, and thus DNA tests may be necessary.

``I think it will take some time before we learn the fate of every missing Japanese,'' Machimura said.

In a policy change, the Thai government is no longer cremating the bodies of victims before burial.

Asked about the change, Machimura said, ``Basically, I want to respect the government's policy.''

An emergency 33-member medical team assembled by the Japanese government departed Thursday for Thailand, Indonesia and the Maldives. Similar teams comprising 58 members left earlier for those three countries as well as Sri Lanka.

The latest team is delivering medicine, medical equipment and tents. Members will treat people injured in the disaster.

The government also decided Thursday to send two forensic experts to Thailand today to identify Japanese victims.

The Japanese Red Cross Society has also dispatched 15 doctors and nurses to Indonesia.

Among NGOs, Okayama-based AMDA has already dispatched 70 medical doctors and nurses to three countries, including Sri Lanka.

The Japanese arm of Doctors Without Borders has sent two surgeons to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, a 30-year-old company employee from Tokyo's Minato Ward and his 29-year-old wife, who were rescued by locals in the Maldives, returned to Japan on Thursday.

The Foreign Ministry says it has been asked to investigate the whereabouts of about 3,300 Japanese. Those requests have mostly come from family members.(IHT/Asahi: December 31,2004)