A tsunami warning's been issued for virtually the entire Pacific basin following a massive earthquake in Japan.

The Red Cross says the wave's now higher than some Pacific islands.

The quake's the biggest to hit Japan in 140 years and measured 8 point 9 magnitude.

A 10-metre high wall of water's already hit the country's north-eastern coast - sweeping away everything in its path.

At least 26 people have died.