An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale rocked Japan’s north-eastern coast today, unleashing a 33ft (10m) tsunami which swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland.

Japan was struck by a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off its north-eastern coast today, triggering a 13-foot tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicentre.

Tropical storm Chataan killed four people today as it struck along the coastline of northern Japan, burying an elderly man in a landslide and sweeping away a woman and her house in a flash flood.

A tropical storm has hit central Japan forcing thousands of people to be evacuated in two northeastern cities.