An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 has struck off the north-eastern coast of Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency has said.
The agency said it had recorded an 80-centimetre tsunami after the quake.Â
The wave was observed at a port in Kuji, Iwate, the agency said.
It previously said a 70-centimetre wave had struck at 5:32pm, local time.Â
The Japan Meteorological Agency also warned of waves as high as 3 metres in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures.
The tremor had an epicentre in the Pacific Ocean and was 10 km deep, according to the JMA.
AFP reported the tremor was felt in Tokyo, hundreds of kilometres away.
“Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building,” Japan’s weather agency said, warning that damage due to tsunami waves was expected.
“Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted.”Â
The prime minister’s office said it had set up a crisis management team.
Broadcaster NHK showed ships sailing out of Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in anticipation of the waves, while bullet train services in Aomori at the northern tip of Japan’s main Honshu island were halted, according to local media.
Reuters/AFP
