Australia offers help to quake-hit Japan

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has offered Australian assistance as Japan recovers from the earthquakes that have claimed 41 lives and injured thousands.

Members of the Metropolitan Police Department Special Rescue team search for missing people at the site of a ground-floor-collapsed apartment Source: AAP

So far no Australians have been reported injured or killed in two deadly earthquakes that have struck Japan's Kyushu island.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has offered Australian assistance as Japan recovers from the disasters that have claimed 41 lives and injured thousands.

Ms Bishop said there are 3506 Australians registered as travelling in the country and consular officials have confirmed the safety of many of those in the Kumamoto region during the quakes.

*People unable to contact family or friends in Japan should phone the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's 24-hour consular emergency hotline [phone].