The warnings of impending waves towards the coast extend along a long stretch of coastline from most of Hokkaido in the north to parts of the main island of Honshu in the south, down to Fukushima. According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK,
However, the previously disaster-stricken prefecture of Fukushima currently has lower alert levels.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says in an initial comment that a crisis group has been appointed and that "we are doing everything we can."
The warning comes after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck about seven miles off northeastern Japan and 50 miles below sea level, according to the US Geological Survey. The Japanese equivalent, the JMA, put the magnitude at 7.2.
The quake occurred around 3:15 p.m. Swedish time – 11:15 p.m. in Japan – and the waves were expected to reach the coast around midnight local time. According to the AP news agency, the first reported waves were 40 centimeters high, but warnings of higher waves remain.
Several people at a hotel in the city of Hachinohe on northern Honshu were reported to have been injured when windows were shattered during the quake. Tremors were also felt in Sapporo on Hokkaido.
Nuclear power plants throughout the warning area are being checked for possible damage.
In March 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 occurred, also off northeastern Japan – causing a massive tsunami that, among other things, triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
