Nearly a quarter of a million people have been told to evacuate their homes in the wake of two deadly earthquakes that hit Japan this week.
More than 40 people were killed and 1,000 injured in the latest powerful earthquake to hit the country, just a day after another quake in the same region.
Many are reported to still be trapped in rubble and the quakes also caused a huge landslide near a dam.
More than 200,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes in the wake of a powerful earthquake that hit Japan leaving as many as 40 people dead.
Japanese authorities have issued evacuation orders to around 240,000 people amid growing fears of landslides and overcrowding at emergency shelters set up to house those affected by the 7.3 magnitude tremor.
Rescue operations launched following Saturday morning's quake are continuing in a desperate bid to find survivors in the rubble caused by the tremor but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has warned a government meeting that as bad weather continues efforts may be hampered.
He said: "The wind is expected to pick up and rain will likely get heavier. Rescue operations at night will be extremely difficult ... It's a race against time."
Rescue teams fear more people are trapped under buildings after two major quakes in Japan.
More than 40 people are feared to have died after a powerful earthquake struck southern Japan on Saturday, the second quake in days.
More people have died in the latest powerful earthquake to hit Japan, just a day after a quake killed nine people in the same region.