Japan earthquake: Death toll climbs to 64 as rescuers race to survivors | BBC News

Rescue efforts continue in Japan after at least 64 people were killed in a powerful earthquake that hit the country on New Year's Day.

Homes collapsed, buildings caught fire and roads were extensively damaged, hindering the work of rescue services.

The epicentre of the 7.6 quake was the Noto peninsula, in central Japan.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that emergency services were locked in a "race against time" to rescue survivors.