66 Filipino tourists stranded in Japan due to quake to return to PH — DFA

The 66 Filipino tourists stranded in Sapporo, Japan due to the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit the country are expected to fly to Tokyo on Saturday afternoon and then to Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The tourists were assisted by the Philippine Embassy in Japan after the earthquake hit Hokkaido on Thursday, the DFA said in a statement.

Electricity has been restored in 90 percent of Sapporo while transportation services started to normalize.

Domestic and international flights at the Chitose Airport and operations of Shinkansen trains have also been resumed, the agency noted.

Power and communications line at the Philippine Consulate in Sapporo have likewise been restored, according to Honorary Consul Ken Tobe.

The Philippine Embassy said it continues to monitor the situation and will assist other Filipinos who may have been affected by the earthquake. /atm