Following the earthquake that hit Japan on Saturday and claimed 41 lives, employees at a monument to the Nanjing Massacre shook up discussions on social media with their message expressing sympathy to Japan's citizens. 

The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders posted the message to the official Sina Weibo feed of the Kumamoto Japan-China Friendship Association shortly after the magnitude-7.3 quake struck the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto early Saturday.

"Right now our hearts go out to our friends with the Friendship Association, are you all OK?" 

The Association is mainly comprised residents of Kumamoto, the home of the Japanese Sixth Division, one of the major forces that carried out the Nanjing Massacre nearly 80 years ago. 

The post, which garnered 40,000 engagements as of press time, also pointed out the mutual support between the two institutions. 

"For the past 20 years, the Friendship Association has visited our monument to express their condolences … Every December, members invite survivors of the massacre to speak at events in Japan, at their own expense." 

The majority of comments on Weibo supported the monument for the magnanimous post, adding that compassion does not "go against patriotism."

Others said that despite the Association's efforts, the organization does not represent the sentiments of the Japanese government.

According to official estimates, more than 300,000 Chinese soldiers and civilians died during the 40-odd-day slaughter that began on December 13, 1937.