40,000 flee as quakes hit Japan

One man died and more than 270 people were injured in a series of powerful earthquakes on the Japanese island of Hokkaido early today.

The first quake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale, was felt in Tokyo 600 miles to the south.

It caused buildings and roads to crack and derailed a train. It was followed by tremors of 5.8 and 7.0 an hour later.

More than 40,000 people left their homes as officials issued a tidal wave warning.