The 8.9 magnitude quake that struck Friday also led to tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including areas as far away as South America and the entire U.S. West Coast.
A tsunami up to 10 meters high inundated Japan's coastal areas, causing large-scale damage across the region. Television footage showed mud waves carrying vehicles, buildings and tons of debris over farmland in Sendai, the capital of Miyagi prefecture.
Several fires were also reported, including a massive blaze at an oil refinery in Chiba prefecture and a fire in the the turbine building of the Onagawa nuclear plant in Miyagi. There are no reports of radiation leaks.
Addressing the nation, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the government would do anything it can to minimize the effects of the disaster.
In Washington, President Barack Obama has offered his condolences to the people of Japan.
The powerful quake struck about 125 kilometers off Japan's eastern coast, at a depth of 10 kilometers. It was felt in Tokyo, where it shook buildings and caused several fires. The Tokyo metro system said all train and subway traffic in the city has been stopped. Several aftershocks have been reported there.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami warning was in effect for Russia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia. The warning has been extended across the Pacific to the U.S. state of Hawaii and includes Central and South American countries on the Pacific. Authorities in many of the areas bracing for the tsunami have issued evacuation orders for residents in coastal area.
by abu juwel
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