KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry says that all Malaysians in Japan are safe following news of a magnitude 7.6 quake which hit the country.
In a statement today, Wisma Putra said it is closely monitoring developments in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the central and west coast of Japan.
"As of the most recent report, no Malaysian has been reported to be involved or affected by the earthquake," it said.
It also extended Malaysia's deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims and families affected by the earthquake, as well as to the people and Japanese government.
Earlier today, international news agencies reported that an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 hit central Japan, triggering a tsunami warning and advisories for residents to evacuate and prepare for possible aftershocks.
A tsunami of around one-metre high struck parts of the west coast along the Sea of Japan, with a larger wave expected, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama.
Top government spokesperson Hayashi Yoshimasa said in an emergency press conference that authorities were still checking the extent of the damage and warned residents to prepare for possible further quakes.
Footage aired by NHK appeared to show buildings collapsing in Ishikawa, and tremors shook buildings in the capital Tokyo on the opposite coast.
More than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power said.