The government has confirmed 23 deaths, with the number expected to
rise. It follows the 8.9-magnitude earthquake which sent a 4-metre wall
of water inland across the Miyagi prefecture . There's considerable
destruction - 200 people have been washed away. Buildings, cars and
ships were also swept by the raging waters. Several are missing on
Japan's Sendai island. The first wave has also reached Russia's Kuril
islands to the north, reportedly around a metre high. There are several
fires along Japan's eastern coastline, and 4 million homes are without
power. The Prime Minister's ordered an emergency response team to
tackle the disaster - with aircraft scrambled to the worst-affected
area. Communication is crippled and Tokyo's Norita International
Airport has been closed. The entire Pacific region is on tsunami alert
- with Hawaii braced to be hit within the next few hours.