OWWA: No incident reports received concerning Japan earthquake

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration announced on Monday that they have not received any incident reports affecting overseas Filipino workers in the Western part of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture.

This was confirmed by OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio in a Facebook video post stating that the agency is monitoring the situation of Filipinos in Japan.

"Regarding the recent earthquake in the Western Part of Japan in Ishikawa prefecture, we want to assure you that we are in full coordination. So far, we have not received any reports of any accidents involving our fellow countrymen. We have 1,287 Filipinos in that area, and you can rest assured that OWWA will prioritize the safety of our fellow Filipinos in Japan,"

"We assure you that we are closely monitoring their situation there," Ignacio said.

According to NHK, about six people have died in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck central Japan on Monday. An elderly man was confirmed dead after being rescued from a house that collapsed due to the earthquake.

Hospitals and authorities have reported numerous injuries across four different prefectures, including Toyama and Niigata.

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers has activated a helpline for OFWs and their families in Japan (1348 or +632 1348, +81 7024474016) in case they need any assistance.