Japan New Year’s Day earthquake, live updates: Noto, Ishikawa Tsunami warning

Canadian PM issues message to Japan

Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, posted on X sending his thoughts and offers of support to the people of Japan following the earthquake.

Fire breaks out in Wajima after major earthquake

In Wajima, the site of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that took place on 1 January, a fire has broken out. Some reports are showing that the fire has destroyed fifty structures so far as the city begins to assess the damage of the earthquake. 

White House releases statement on the earthquake in Japan

Jill and I are praying for the people of Japan who have been impacted by the terrible earthquake. My administration is in touch with Japanese officials, and the United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people. As close Allies, the United States and Japan share a deep bond of friendship that unites our people. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time.

How do earthquakes interact with roads?

Footage from Japan shows raods and pavements buckling under the stress caused by the earthquake.

According to the Kyodo news agency, four individuals have been reported dead, and numerous others have sustained injuries. Makeshift accomodation has been made overnight to house those whose homes have been destroyed.

Earthquake reported in Noto

A magnitude 4.2 earthquake was reported at 11:19pm local time off the coast of Noto peninsula. Originally the magnitude was a lot higher, but has since been reduced.

Meanwhile, on the island, worried shoppers are buying in bulk, with one shopkeeper telling Sky News that he has three times the normal amount of customers who are stocking up on bread, bottled water and rice balls.

Japan announces free WiFi service to affected areas

The free WiFi service is available to all of those in affected areas and has 5 zeroes on the front.

New Year's Day is a huge celebration in Japan

A girl throws a coin as her family prays on the first day of the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. 

New Year's Day is a hugely celebrated event in the country, with most people celebrating it more than Christmas.

The earthquake has put a stop to those plans, but the safety of the people is paramount and the government's serious and coordinated tone has made people aware of the severity of the situation. 

The people living in the coastal areas, despite the lowering of the warning, are being advised to stay away for now.

Tsunami reaches South Korea

A tsunami measuring not even 1 metre reached South Korea’s east coast, the country’s meteorological agency has announced.

The first tsunami to reach South Korea’s coast measured just 0.67 metre (2.2 feet), although the authorities say that it may increase in size and waves may even continue for more than 24 hours.

People trapped under buildings:

Six people are reportedly trapped under the rubble of collapsed houses on the Noto Peninsula. Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi had announced that people were trapped and now it seems the news has been further confirmed.

As well as this, in Wajima, there also were various cases of people being "buried alive" under the rubble, the government said.

No information on their condition is available as of yet.

Here's more footage of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Noto

Georgia's ambassador to Japan is stuck on the bullet train

The diplomat's spirits are high, however, with Teimuraz Lezhava posting that "I'm on the Shinkansen. Although the train is stopped and there is no prospect of recovery, I am doing well due to the communication situation. I would like to see safety come first, and priority be given to areas that have suffered damage or are in need of rescue."

He also said that "beverages other than alcohol sold on Shinkansen trains are sold out. I'm a little worried because I have children, but we all have the same difficulties. Let's get through it together!"

More positive news:

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has announced that the danger of a large tsunami has largely passed in the region affected, where waves of over 1m had been reported. The official warning from Japan has been downgraded from a "major" warning to a simple warning.

“The tsunami threat has now largely passed,” the Hawaii-based centre said.

Aftershock hits Noto

The first of the aftershocks has hit Noto, the epicentre of the earthquake.

A magnitude 5 shock is said to have hit the Noto peninsula at 8.35pm. 

Alerts have been issued to local residents to beware of already weakened buildings and structures collapsing.

BREAKING: JAPAN DOWNGRADE MAJOR TSUNAMI WARNING

Japan has downgraded its "major tsunami warning" for the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa. This is where the 1.2m high water had been seen.

A less serious "tsunami warning" has been issued.

South Korea update:

Reports say that South Korea have experienced tsunamis on their eastern Gangwon province. 

North Korea has also issued a tsunami warning for its eastern coast.

Suzu nuclear plans scrapped

The tweet says that Suzu had nuclear power plant plans abandoned in 2003 - today's the epicentre of the earthquake; Shika Nuclear Power Plant is located around 60 km from the epicentre and no abnormalities were reported there.

The Japanese Meteorological Society:

"We are observing a large tsunami, if you are on the coast or river, please evacuateimmediately.

There is a risk of landslides and houses collapsing; please be careful of earthquakes for about a week, especially over the next two to three days."

Tsunami reports:

·Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture: tsunami of more than 1.2 meters

·Toyama, Toyama prefecture: tsunami of 80 centimetres

·Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture: tsunami of 70 centimetres

·Okushiri Island in Hokkaido: tsunami of 50 centimetres

·Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture: tsunami of 40 centimetres

· Tobishima Island, Yamagata Prefecture: tsunami of 40centimetres

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi:

Confirmed some buildings have collapsed due to the earthquake: a number of people are trapped inside. 

There have been six reports made of trapped people so far. 

No deaths or injuries have been confirmed.

Journalist warns of high tide causing problems:

Al-Jazeera journalist Chris Gilbert said that the waves on the west coast are ranging from 50cm to 1 metre.

"We’re heading into high tide now and the next 90 minutes are really going to be a danger period for potential further tsunami", he said.

"It barely takes half a metre to knock someone over so the danger is still very real.”

Japanese government message:

Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately,

LATEST NEWS

Japan New Year’s Day earthquake: where was the epicentre and how strong was it?

Given the news of the quake, we've had a look at just where the epicentre of the natural disaster was, and how strong it was registered at on the Richter Scale.

People can set the icon as their profile picture

"I am in a safe place but can't reply because my battery is dead" reads the message that people can post before their phone dies due to a lack of electricity, in order to let their loved ones know about their situation.

Interactive map launched:

The Japanese Meteorological Society have put in place an interactive map for those who are keen on checking out the geography of the situation. 

The colours highlight the various levels of tsunami warnings that have been put in place all up and down the country.

The whole length of Japan's west coast are under some kind of alert, with waves of up to 5m predicted.

Here's another image of the damage...

The image comes from Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, where reports and videos of fires have also been recorded.

Japan extend warnings:

Morethan30earthquakes are said to have hit central Japan in the past three hours, causing Japan to issue warnings to the prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, Nagano and Toyama.

Ishikawa hospital under pressure

Reports say that some doctors have been unable to reach the hospital as the roads have suffered huge cracks. An official from the hospital says they is operating with a spare generator as power has been cut.

A tsunami has hit Japan's coastline

Reports are coming in that a tsunami has hit the coast of Japan.

"The city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, has observed a tsunami of more than 1.2 meters at 4:21 p.m. on Monday following the quake", says NHK.

South Korea Meteorological Administration:

The tsunami may reach higher wave heights after the initial tsunami and may last for more than 24 hours, so please check for additional information.

Further footage of damage:

The quake was said to have happened just 10km below the surface, which could create long-lasting oscillations.

The people of Japan are preared:

Seismic activity is common in Japan and the people are generally very well prepared for what to do in an emergency situation. 

An earthquake of a magnitude of 9 struck Japan in 2011 and since then, the country has put in place measures to keep the residents aware of the dangers of the natural disaster. 

The noise coming out of Japan is one of severity and swift action, highlighting the threat of danger that the government are not prepared to water down.

However, footage has already shown collapsed or shaking buildings, as well as huge cracks in the road.

Japan Meteorological Society press conference:

People need to be vigilant for a week, especially for 2-3 days.

A tsunami higher than 1.2m in Noto has been recorded.

Firesand landslide risks are heightening.

Measurements of quakes higher than 5 have been recorded three times already.

Russian tsunami warning:

Fisherman out on the water off the coast of Vladivostok have been urged to return to shore as the city have issued a tsunami alert for the region.

No nuclear warnings detected:

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) said there were no issues with reactors detected at any of the nuclear power plants in the affected area, with only minor damage reported.

Most of Japan’s 54 reactors have been offline since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011.

Here's more footage of the damage...

Uchinada seems to have been hit hard by the quake.

A fire has broken out in Wajima

The fire is believed to have been caused directly from the earthquake which struck Noto just a short while ago.

Another earthquake warning reportedly issued:

Aftershocks are said to be expected for up to a week.

South Korea issue warning:

The news agency Yonhap has said that SouthKorea is the latest country to issue alerts on rising sea levels; people in the eastern Gangwon province have also been urged to move to higher ground.

More reports of injuries coming in...

Suzu City Hospital in Ishikawa is now, according to The Guardian, reporting a stream of injured patients arriving.

Up to 36,000 homes are said to be without power due to the 7.4 magnitude quake.

Interactive map launched:

The Japanese Meteorological Society have put in place an interactive map for those who are keen on checking out the geography of the situation. 

The colours highlight the various levels of tsunami warnings that have been put in place all up and down the country.

An update from Russia:

Tass is now reporting that initial information about an evacuation in the Russian province of Sakhalin has been deleted from an official website. Reports had suggested that the area was being evacuated due to the quake.

According to the update, a tsunami alert has been issued but no evacuation of the population is being carried out.

First news of injuries:

The Guardian says that "reports are coming in of injuries from local hospitals, including broken bones, but no fatalities confirmed so far".

Japan Meteorological Society press conference:

People need to be vigilant for a week, especially for 2-3 days.

A tsunami higher than 1.2m in Noto has been recorded.

Fires and landslide risks are heightening.

Measurements of quakes higher than 5 have been recordedthreetimes already.

Here is some more footage of the damage:

Waves have now been reported that have hit the city of Noto, with predicted waves of 5 metres.

Tsunami update:

A tsunami higher than 1.2 metres has reportedly been observed in Noto, according to Sky News.

LATEST NEWS

Japan New Year’s Day earthquake: where was the epicentre and how strong was it?

Calls for evacuation as well as a major tsunami warning have already come in for coastal areas around the Ishikawa prefecture, which is where the epicentre was.

Japanese public broadcasters switched to emergency programming, with NHK TV saying the water could reach as high as 5 meters, according to the Associated Press reported. 

People have been urged to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building. Calls have already been made to prepare residents for further quakes.

Here are the affected areas:

"We need to be vigilant for a week, especially for the next two to three days" the Japan Meteorological Society have said.

Here is some footage of the earthquake:

Here's some frightening footage of how people experienced the quake, which struck at 7am local time.

Japan earthquake | Follow the latest updates:

A series of major earthquakes have hit central Japan with the Prime Minister already calling for an evacuation of coastal areas, reports say.

Tsunami alerts were triggered after a series of earthquakes, one with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, hit Japan’s west coast.

Blackouts and burst water mains have been reported on the the coast of Ishikawa and traffic is said to be disrupted due to cracks in the roads.