TOKYO, Jan. 2 (Nikkei Asia) – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida late on Monday night ordered Japanese ministries to gather information on the strong earthquake that shook the country's central area and to send goods needed by residents in the region.
Local authorities in the wee hours of Tuesday said that four people were confirmed dead.
"It is difficult to collect information as [the earthquake] came just before the sunset," Kishida told reporters.
The prime minister said that he heard about the situation directly from the mayors of Wajima and Suzu, cities that are in Ishikawa prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast and near the quake's epicenter.
Sending Japan's Self-Defense Forces and other responders is "extremely difficult due to damage to roads," Kishida said. But the prime minister emphasized that he ordered responders to reach the site as soon as possible.
He also demanded that necessities such as water, food, blankets and gas be sent -- by air and sea if necessary.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that 93 tremors registering at least 1 on Japan's seismic intensity scale -- which gauges the degree of shaking at a given point rather than the release of energy measured by magnitude -- had occurred by 1 a.m. Tuesday. The agency called for caution over a potential for aftershocks that could measure 7 on the seismic scale, the highest rating, for about a week.
The national Fire and Disaster Management Agency said late Monday that a total of over 97,000 people were told to evacuate in nine prefectures including Ishikawa, Fukui and Akita.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a news conference that he was informed of six incidents in which people remain in collapsed houses. Water is shut off in some areas, he said.
A tsunami warning was issued on Monday but was downgraded to an advisory before dawn on Tuesday.
Ishikawa Gov. Hiroshi Hase made rescue work and saving lives the top priority. He told a crew of around 2,500 responders who came to help from cities such as Kyoto, Nagoya and Niigata that the first 24 hours is crucial in rescue measures.
Rescue work is complicated by the complete closure of a main highway that runs throughout Ishikawa. More than 200 people are taking refuge in the interchanges and rest areas.
Railways also were struck hard. East Japan Railway suspended operations of all Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku shinkansen lines due to the earthquake. West Japan Railway said the quake had stopped four such bullet train lines, leaving around 1,400 passengers stuck in the cabins.
The Japanese Imperial Household Agency said it canceled a public New Year's greeting event planned for Tuesday to be attended by Emperor Naruhito and his family members.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday issued a statement showing support for people in the disaster area.
"My administration is in touch with Japanese officials, and the United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people," he said. "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."
