Japan Latest: Tension over the Nuclear Plants

For earlier news of the earthquake, tsunami, and problems at nuclear plants, see Japan LiveBlog: An 8.4 Earthquake and Tsunami Warning.

1120 GMT: In a televised statement, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Japan is experiencing its greatest hardships since World War II.

Kan warned of sweeping power cuts to come and said the situation at the Fukushima nuclear plant is still grave.

The official toll is now 1217 dead, 1086 missing, and 1741 injured.

1015 GMT: The latest official toll, from the National Police Agency, is 985 dead, 707 missing, and 1710 wounded.

0915 GMT: New footage of the moment the tsunami struck the Japanese coast:

0710 GMT: Police in Miyagi Prefecture in northeast Japan say the death toll is likely to exceed 10,000 in the area, which was nearest the centre of the earthquake.

0705 GMT: An aerial view of the town on Minamisanriku in northeast Japan, where half of the 19,000 population are missing:

Japan Video: Explosion at the Nuclear Plant
Japan Video: Today's Earthquake
Latest from Japan Earthquake: Live Feed from Al Jazeera English

0700 GMT: Japanese officials are warning of a possible explosion at the Fukushima No. 3 reactor, but they are saying it will not affect the core and there would be no effect on the health of nearby residents.

Part of the Fukushima No. 1 reactor complex was damaged by an explosion on Saturday, although the core was unaffected.

Authorities have now asked for the evacuation of 140,000 people around Fukushima. They confirmed Saturday that 160 people have suffered exposure to radiation.