Rescuers race against time to find survivors of Japan earthquake

A man who lost his house in the earthquake reacts as he visits the graveyards of his parents, which were rattled by the earthquake, in Wajima, Japan, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

WAJIMA, Japan (Reuters) - Thousands of rescuers pressed on in a search for survivors of a New Year's Day earthquake that killed at least 84 people in Japan, hoping to save as many as possible despite a three day survival window that ended on Thursday afternoon.

"We must continue putting all of our efforts into rescuing people, even beyond 72 hours after the disaster," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a news conference.