Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has vowed that every effort will be made to rescue survivors of the devastating earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Monday with the critical 72-hour period fast closing.

He said he will ensure that quake victims receive proper support by having Self-Defense Forces personnel visit evacuation centers to ascertain their needs.

Kishida on Wednesday reiterated his instructions to relevant ministries and agencies to place utmost priority on saving lives.

He told reporters on Wednesday that the central government should support affected municipalities until they can restore their functions. He said the government will check what support they need and deliver necessary supplies.

Kishida said he has instructed Defense Minister Kihara Minoru to have SDF personnel visit each evacuation center for those tasks.

He said senior government officials, including those of rank equivalent to deputy mayor, will be dispatched to the affected municipalities to strengthen communications with them.

He plans to hold a meeting of the government's disaster response task force again on Thursday as residents' evacuation may be prolonged.