When the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan last week concern flowed for the 20 Japanese students who are currently studying courses at CQUniversity in Rockhampton.

CQUniversity student support staff have since spoken to all the students on-campus confirming that their families in Japan are all safe.

Japanese exchange student Mariko Kakuta and CQUniversity lecturer Naohiko Shimizu talk about the devastation in Japan.However it was an agonising wait for some students who faced delays in connecting with family due to phone line problems on the ground in Japan.

Exchange student Mariko Kakuta said she was eager to speak with her family after hearing the devastating news on the television last week.

"It took me some time to speak with my family, but I eventually spoke to them. I was very worried," explains Mariko, who is spending 12 months studying Arts courses in Rockhampton.

"I feel very sad for Japan and I am missing my family."

Mariko said her family home in Ibaraki, a city south of the centre of the devastation, has sustained some damage and water has been disconnected, however her family are all well.

Family members of another exchange student, Suika Itoh from Sendai city (the centre of the disaster-stricken area) are also safe but have minor damage to their home.

CQUniversity lecturer Naohiko Shimizu said of the 11 exchange students the Faculty of Arts, Business, Informatics & Education is currently hosting, five had family living close to the devastation.

"We made contact with all the Japanese students on campus and helped them get in contact with their families. Thankfully, they are all well," he said.

"I am shocked at the damage shown on the news. I have been watching Japanese news online regularly and am keeping the students up-to-date with the reports."

Originally from Tokyo, Naohiko came to Rockhampton to work at the University over 20 years ago, but still has family back in Japan including is elderly mother.

"I have called my family and everyone is OK, but they are concerned about any further quakes. They are getting aftershocks every few minutes."

Naohiko said he had never been in a big earthquake like this one, although can remember a number of smaller ones when he lived in Japan.

"I hope that there is no further damage to Japan and that the country can recover soon."

CQUniversity will continue to support its Japanese visitors over the coming weeks.