Search and rescue teams in Japan are continuing to look for survivors of Monday’s severe earthquake, with more than 50 people still missing.

The Japanese news agency, Kyodo, reported on Thursday that it was feared that many people were still under the rubble in the badly-affected coastal town of Wajima on the western peninsula of Noto.

It is a race against time for the search and rescue teams, as the first 72 hours are regarded as extremely critical for survivors after an earthquake.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for a “comprehensive effort” to save as many lives as possible.

The death toll has continued to rise. According to Japanese media reports, at least 78 people have died in Ishikawa Prefecture, which was the hardest-hit.

Since the violent earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, the region by the Sea of Japan has been shaken by more than 150 aftershocks.

In Taiwan, the government announced on Thursday that it would donate 60 million Japanese yen (about $420,000) for disaster relief.

It also announced a special disaster relief account for private donations from the Taiwanese people to further help Japan. (dpa/NAN)