Britain Says Japan Requests Help over Earthquake

LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) - Japan has asked Britain for help in the aftermath of the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the country, Britain's Foreign Office said on Saturday The 8.9-magnitude earthquake sent a 10-metre tsunami ripping through towns and cities across the northeast coast. Japanese media estimate that at least 1,300 people were killed.

A British foreign office spokeswoman confirmed a request had been made to the British government for help. "Details are being finalised," she said. (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Louise Ireland)