A magnitude 8.9 earthquake off the coast of Japan has triggered an immensely destructive tsunami at 14h46 local time. Footage has been shown of cars, ships and buildings being swept away in Onahama city. Officials said a wave as high as 6m could strike the coast.

No death toll has thus far come to light – live coverage on NHK is displaying massive waves of debris and mud rolling along the coastline, doing immense damage.

Given the scale of the quake, which struck some 400km from Tokyo, tsunami alerts were also issued in Russia, Northern Marianas and Marcus islands, with tsunami watches taken up in Guam, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hawaii.

[Earthquake.usgs]