14/03/2011 / JAPAN
Professor Carlos Asarta of the University of Nebraska in the US was at the top of Tokyo Tower (which, at 332 meters, is taller than Paris' Eiffel Tower) when the earthquake struck. He shot this video, which was posted on his University’s YouTube page. Asarta later explained in a video that he initially “thought it was just the wind”.
The tsunami that struck the north-eastern coast of Japan following the quake flowed directly under the glass-panelled façade of Sendai’s International Airport. Video posted on YouTube by jack19661221.
A customer filmed his emergency evacuation from a department store in the eastern coastal city of Yokohama. Video published on YouTube by VideosJapon.
Many modern Japanese high-rises are built to sway gently during earthquakes so as to withstand the pressure. This architectural feature was caught on camera in the busy commercial neighbourhood of Shinjuku, in eastern Tokyo. Video shot by Ayumu Dokizono and published on YouTube by Escot2008.
Iwaki is one of several coastal towns that was almost entirely engulfed by the March 11 Tsunami. The following footage shows the surging waters entering the town. Video posted on YouTube by Busacky.
The ten most striking amateur videos of the earthquake in Japan
Customers and employees of a department store in the eastern coastal city of Yokohama rush down the stairs to evacuate the building during the March 11 earthquake.
The devastating earthquake that struck the north-eastern coast of Japan on March 11 has left the country grappling with what Prime Minister Naoto Kan has described as its most serious crisis since World War Two. We bring you a selection of the most striking amateur videos shot during the quake and the ensuing tsunami that ravaged the eastern shoreline.
The number of casualties has risen dramatically as rescue workers search for survivors in the tsunami-battered region north of Tokyo. More than 2,000 bodies were found on Monday in two eastern coastal towns, but with tens of thousands still reported missing, the government fears that the total death toll could exceed 10,000.
But much of the attention has shifted to a possible radiation leak at the Fukushima nuclear complex, 240 km north of Tokyo, where explosions have damaged two reactors and fuel rods have been exposed at a third reactor.
Are you in one of the quake-hit areas? Send your photos and videos to observers@france24.com.
Contributors
View of the earthquake from the top of Tokyo Tower
The tsunami sweeps past Sendai Airport
Emergency evacuation at a department store in Yokohama
A swaying skyscraper in Tokyo
The tsunami reaches the coastal town of Iwaki
In Erimo’s flooded harbour
Erimo is a small town located on the southern tip of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Its harbour was entirely flooded following the March 11 tsunami. Video posted on YouTube by Eyuyu.
Sewer waters overflow in the streets of Ursayu
The earthquake caused sewage waters to overflow in the streets of Urasayu, a city in the prefecture of Chiba and home to Disneyland Tokyo. Video published on YouTube by Yukinojo7.
Warning sirens in Odawara
Travellers in Tokyo-Haneda airport remain perfectly calm during the quake
Trains rock on their tracks at Fukushima station
Post written with France 24 journalist Paul Larrouturou.
Comments
Unbelieveable footage!
Submitted by casting los angeles (not verified) on Thu, 07/04/2011 - 20:32.My heart goes out to the people of Japan. This was such a devastating natural disaster. I can only hope that the worst is over. Looking at the videos, I try to put myself in that situation. Living here in California, I've experienced minor earthquakes, but even with that, I was really scared. I'm sure the people of Japan are shaken up. Although they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis, it doesn't mean they are numb to it.
earthquake in Japan
Submitted by Samir Bouzid on Tue, 29/03/2011 - 00:18.Il est extrêmement important que nous tirions les leçons de ce qui s'est passé après le séisme du 11 mars, afin de renforcer la sûreté nucléaire à travers le monde
Japan Tragedy
Submitted by Treadmill Traci (not verified) on Thu, 17/03/2011 - 17:58.The blow to the nuclear power plants is such a tragedy.I am very upset that the death toll is so hight. Hopefully there will be peace brought back to this great place. God bless all of those suffering and hope you find peace.
Japan Sadness
Submitted by Treadmill Traci (not verified) on Thu, 17/03/2011 - 17:33.Hopefully there will be peace brought back to Japan. I want to send my prayers and love to those in need. I love Japan and have always looked at their culture with great respect.I am not happy with the amount of deaths this has brought. Even with knowing the location of Japan centered on the largest earthquake fault I am still very upset with this event.
Japan's Loss
Submitted by Treadmill Traci (not verified) on Thu, 17/03/2011 - 17:31.Hopefully there will be peace brought back to Japan. I want to send my prayers and love to those in need. I love Japan and have always looked at their culture with great respect.I am not happy with the amount of deaths this has brought. Even with knowing the location of Japan centered on the largest earthquake fault I am still very upset with this event.
rmjVzYOThjLqmXD
Submitted by Allayna (not verified) on Sun, 10/04/2011 - 10:07.vpwfBD That's 2 clever by half and 2x2 clever 4 me. Thanks!
Nice collection of video
Submitted by tape backup (not verified) on Wed, 16/03/2011 - 12:01.I watch mostly all video.These are really nice with have a good collection of most striking amateur videos of the earthquake in Japan....
japon
Submitted by tafa on Mon, 14/03/2011 - 18:25.je suis desole pour le japon ,mais le monde doit prendre des mesures en ce ki concerne le nucleaire indispensable mais dangereux.