Japan: Earthquake aftermath at a glance

Following are the main developments in the earthquake measuring 8.9 that struck north-east Japan today.

- More than 500 people are missing and more than 300 dead in Japan after the quake, NHK says.

- Some 3,000 residents living near a nuclear plant in Fukushima prefecture, north of Tokyo, evacuated from area. Government says no radiation leaking; evacuation is precaution after reactor cooling malfunction.

- Quake triggers tsunami up to 10 metres (30 feet), waves sweep across farmland, sweeping away homes, crops, vehicles, triggering fires. Tsunami of 7 metres later hits northern Japan.

- Tsunami warnings issued for the entire Pacific basin, except the mainland United States and Canada. Countries covered by the warnings included Russia, Fiji, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.

- Alerts lifted for Australia, New Zealand and Guam. Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines also lifted tsunami warnings.

- Fire engulfs a large waterfront area near Sendai city, TV footage shows. One train is derailed and another missing in Miyagi prefecture, Kyodo says.

- A ship carrying 100 people was swept away by the tsunami, Kyodo news agency reports.

- Major fire at Chiba refinery near Tokyo.

- Tokyo's Narita international airport resumes some outbound flights.

- Major fire at Chiba refinery near Tokyo.

- All Japanese ports closed and discharging operations halted, shippers report.

- Electronics firm Sony closes six factories, Kyodo new agency reports.

- Bank of Japan to hold policy meeting on Monday, will announce decision same day. Central bank vows to do utmost to ensure financial market stability.

- Tokyo Stock Exchange says it plans to open for trading as normal on Monday.

- Asian shares fall after the quake hits; European shares fall to their lowest in three months.