Nearly 600 residents have been evacuated from powerful wildfires in northern Japan. TV images from the public service company NHK show how the flames have reduced several houses to charred remains in Ofunato, in Iwate Prefecture.
On Thursday, local authorities estimated that 84 buildings were damaged in the fire, which is estimated to be around 600 hectares in size. The cause of the fire is still unclear, but strong winds are believed to have contributed to its spread.
No people have been confirmed injured so far.
