Red Cross workers in Japan have spoken about their activities in the quake-hit Noto region with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

The Empress serves as honorary president of the Japanese Red Cross Society. Her daughter, Princess Aiko, is due to start working at the organization in April. She also joined Friday's briefing, held at the Imperial Palace.

Officials say Red Cross Society President Seike Atsushi first explained how many workers have been dispatched, and how relief supplies have been distributed.

Medical staff then spoke about their experiences in the heavily damaged cities of Wajima and Suzu both immediately after the quake struck central Japan on January 1 and later that month.

Officials say the Imperial family asked how conditions had changed between the two visits, and agreed on the importance of respecting the feelings of the survivors.

The Imperial Household Agency is making arrangements for the Emperor and Empress to visit affected communities later in March.