With a magnitude of 8.8, the largest ever recorded earthquake to hit Japan occurred at 14:46 local time (05:46 GMT), 11 March 2011. The epicentre was located 250 miles (400 km) from Tokyo off the northeast coast of the country.

Ambassador Keiichi Hayashi said,
“It is a great shock to everyone in Japan and the effects, including the devastating tsunami, of such a large earthquake are unprecedented. Everything possible is being done to limit the extent of the damage.

“Both the British Prime Minister Mr David Cameron and the British Foreign Secretary Mr William Hague have expressed their sympathy and condolences to the victims and offered all possible assistance to Japan.  Mr Cameron instructed his aide to personally convey his message to me from Brussels.  We are grateful to them for their compassionate words, and to the numerous other people in the United Kingdom who have expressed their deep concern and sent us many kind messages of solicitude. Your support and friendship at this time is very much appreciated.

“At this stage, we have not heard of any casualties amongst UK nationals in Japan. We do, however, very much understand the concern of those with family and friends in Japan and wish to coordinate with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in offering any necessary information.”

Note:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has set up an emergency telephone helpline in London: 020 7008 0000.

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