The port city of Sendai suffered widespread devastation after it was hit by a 33ft wave that swept away cars, ships and buildings.

The official death toll stands at 413 but it is feared that the number of dead may surpass 1,300. At least 1,100 people have been injured and more than 215,000 people are staying in emergency shelters.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent a message of condolence to the Anglican Archbishop of Japan, the Most Rev Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu.

Dr Williams said: “The news of the horrific earthquake in Japan has shocked us all.

“We await further and more detailed news with apprehension, but I want to say immediately that our hearts and our prayers go out to all who have been affected and that we as a church will do what we can to offer practical as well as spiritual support at this time of great suffering and great anxiety for so many.”

The Catholic Church has sent out prayers for those affected by the disaster:

God our Father,
you set the earth on its foundation.
Keep us safe from the danger of earthquakes
and let us always feel the presence of your love.
May we be secure in your protection
and serve you with grateful hearts.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Catholic aid agency Caritas Internationalis is planning its response, although this has been severely hampered by the damage to phone lines.

“Our solidarity is with our brothers and sisters at Caritas Japan and all the Japanese people,” said Lesley-Anne Knight, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis.

“We will continue to support them at this difficult time and we will keep all of those affected by the earthquake in our prayers.”

The 8.9 magnitude earthquake is the largest in Japan’s history. There are now fears of a nuclear disaster after an explosion at the Daiichi facility at Fukushima, 150 miles north of Tokyo.

Although earthquakes are common in Japan, the scale of the destruction caused by this quake has been particularly severe.

World Vision said its Global Rapid Response Team was on standby for deployment to affected areas.

Geoff Shepherd, World Vision’s humanitarian and emergency affairs director for the Asia-Pacific region, said: “Our staff are prepared to respond.”