NO FILIPINO INJURED IN DEADLY JAPAN QUAKE – ENVOY

NO Filipino was injured in the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year’s Day, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Albano said Tuesday.

“Mula kahapon hanggang ngayon, wala pa pong report na nasaktang Pinoy. May report na nag-evacuate sila. Thirty-five Filipinos ang nag-evacuate sa city hall. Inadvise ‘yung nakatira sa tabi ng dagat na lumikas,” Albano told a television interview.

The epicenter of last Monday’s strong quake was Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side of the main central island of Honshu

Based on the latest data from the Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA), at least 1,305 Filipinos are  in the Ishikawa Prefecture, 2,915 in Niigata Prefecture, 1,884 in Fukui Prefecture, 2,620 in Toyama Prefecture, and 14,553 in Gifu Prefecture.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a “large tsunami” warning, meaning waves of up to five meters.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, which had warned of possible tsunamis along 300 kilometers of coast, also said around four hours after the major quake that the tsunami danger had “largely passed.”

Tsunami warnings covering extensive areas along the Sea of Japan were lifted Tuesday morning, after the highest wave of around 1.2 meters reached Wajima Port on Monday night following the 4:10 p.m. quake.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said the Philippine Consulate General in Nagoya continues to monitor all Filipinos living and traveling in the most affected areas.

 “The Filipino community has been contacted and no reports of any Filipino casualty at this time,” de Vega also said.

“Following established emergency procedures, local communities are following prefectural government announcements to keep safe in higher ground for the moment,” he added.

  13 CONFIRMED DEAD

At least 13 people have been confirmed dead in the powerful tremor that struck the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas in central Japan as more reports of damage came in and rescuers raced to find survivors on Tuesday.

The magnitude-7.6 quake caused extensive structural damage and fires in the city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The deaths included seven victims at Wajima Municipal Hospital, city officials said.

Footage taken by the public broadcaster NHK on Tuesday morning showed a seven-storey building toppled over sideways and fires still blazing in a central area of Wajima known for its morning market.

Fires have engulfed over 200 structures, but chances of them spreading further are slim, Ishikawa prefectural officials said.

About 1,000 Self-Defense Force personnel are engaged in rescue and relief operations, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.

                  AFP WILLING TO HELP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed willingness to help the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) in the wake of the earthquake.

“Recognizing the severity of the situation and the subsequent issuance of major tsunami warnings, the AFP extends its support and sympathy to the Japanese people,” AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement late Monday.

He added that in times of crisis, international cooperation becomes paramount.