Japanese Earthquake
There has been a magnitude 9 earthquake, thought to be the 6th largest ever, off of the coast of Japan 250 miles (400km) from Tokyo at 1446 local time on Friday 11/3/11. There continues to be a risk of aftershock and tsunamis across the Pacific region.
HELPLINE
The Foreign Office has established a crisis unit and set up a helpline for UK nationals in Japan and their relatives back home.
These numbers are +44 20 7008 0000 (from Japan) or 020 7008 0000 (in the UK).
You can also e-mail the Foreign Office on japan.earthquake@fco.gov.uk or skype (text not call) on "fcojapan". You can register your interest in using the FCO charter option to leave Japan by calling +44 20 7008 6900.
More information can be found on the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office and BBC websites.