A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan's northeastern coast, triggering a 10 meter tsunami that swept away boats, homes and cars along the coastline. At least five people were reported dead but officials warn the toll is expected to rise.
Video footage showed widespread inundation as mud waves carried tons of debris over farmland in Sendai, the capital of Miyagi prefecture. Large-scale damage could be seen in various locations along the coast. In Chiba prefecture, a massive oil refinery fire has broken out.
Addressing the nation, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the government would do anything it can to minimize the effects of the disaster.
The powerful quake struck Friday about 125 kilometers off the eastern coast, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
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 areas.
The massive quake was felt in Tokyo, where it shook buildings and caused several fires. The Tokyo metro system says all train and subway traffic in the city has been stopped. Tokyo's Haneda airport has reopened its four runways to accommodate traffic from other airports, including Narita. Aftershocks have also been reported in Tokyo.