Japanese Emperor Akihito has addressed the nation, expressing his condolences for victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami and telling the nation not to give up.

Speaking on television, he also voiced concern about the developing radiation crisis at the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.

Friday's quake-spawned tsunami devastated Japan's north-eastern coast, and officials believe more than 10,000 people have died.

Mr Akihito said: "We don't know the number of victims, but I pray that every single person can be saved."

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