Japan earthquake: Aftershocks continue in quake zone as death toll rises to 62

There are significant difficulties in accessing the northern Noto peninsula in Japan – the worst-hit quake region – due to severed road connections to Wajima and Suzu, local media reported.

The Ishikawa prefecture’s Noto peninsula was most severely hit in the 7.6-magnitude devastating earthquake.

Roads leading to Noto Airport in Wajima are inaccessible, with extensive cracks exceeding 10 centimetres in depth and over 10 metres in length on the runways, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported.

In response, officials are now planning to use sea routes to transport relief supplies to the survivors and rescue teams.

Japanese rescue officials shared the first images on Tuesday showing the scale of devastation in the hard-to-reach areas worst hit by a massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings across the region on New Year’s Day.

The powerful quake struck the northern Ishikawa prefecture on Japan’s main central island of Honshu on Monday, prompting thousands of people in coastal regions to flee to higher ground as tsunami waves hit the western coast.

Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya reported a grim scene in the coastal city of Suzu, stating that “almost no houses are standing”.

He revealed that approximately 90 per cent of the town’s houses are either entirely or nearly destroyed and described the situation as “truly catastrophic”.

The 7.6-magnitude quake jolted Ishikawa prefecture on the main island of Honshu. The prefecture’s Noto peninsula was most severely hit and many buildings were flattened especially in the towns of Wajima and Suzu among others.

According to a report from the Japanese government last year, there has been a consistent rise in the frequency of earthquakes in the Noto peninsula region since 2018.

Prime minister Fumio Kishida revealed that more people are in need of help many hours after the devastating earthquake struck the region.

“More than 40 hours have passed since the disaster. We have received a lot of information about people in need of rescue and there are people waiting for help,” he said today after an emergency taskforce meeting.

“Rescue efforts are being made by the local authorities, police, firefighters and other operational units, while the number of personnel and rescue dogs is enhanced.

“However, we ask you to remain fully mindful that we are in a race against time and to continue to do your utmost to save lives, putting people’s lives first.”

Survivors of the massive earthquake are now battling freezing rain and threats of landslides, authorities said.

Heavy rains are forecast in the quake-hit region today giving rise to fears of landslides.

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida urged his government to ensure that the survivors had access to basic amenities including electricity and water.

“Please do everything in your power to rescue as many people as possible, while keeping in mind that this is also a battle against time,” Mr Kishida said yesterday during a disaster response meeting.