Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Media update 2

- A major 8.8 earthquake struck northern Japan at 6.46 pm (NZT) on Friday.

- The earthquake has generated a significant tsunami event which has already impacted on northeast Japan

- 792 New Zealanders are now registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as being in Japan.

- Over the last 24 hours the Embassy has been able to contact most of the small number of New Zealanders registered with us as being in the area of northeast Japan most affected by the earthquake. There are a few we have not yet been able to contact due to communications difficulties

- At this stage there are no reports of New Zealand casualties as a result of the earthquake of Tsunami.

- About 3500 New Zealanders are registered with Japanese authorities as living in Japan and it was likely at least a further 3000 New Zealanders were visiting the country. These figures are estimates.

- New Zealanders with concerns about family in Japan should try to contact them directly in the first instance.

- If you cannot make contact and they are known to be in the north east of Japan please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on: 0800 432 111

- If calling from overseas call +64 4 439 8000

- New Zealanders in Japan are asked to register their details on www.safetravel.govt.nz

- MFAT staff in Wellington and at our posts monitored the situation in the Pacific closely overnight – to date there have been no reports of major damage. Many Pacific countries have now cancelled or downgraded their Tsunami warnings.

The latest statements from the Prime Minister and Minister are available at www.beehive.govt.nz
and MFAT's travel advice is available at www.safetravel.govt.nz

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