TOKYO - A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, shaking large buildings in Tokyo hundreds of kilometres away and prompting a warning for tsunami waves of up to three metres.
The quake hit in Pacific waters off northern Iwate prefecture, Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
An 80-centimetre tsunami wave hit a port in Kuji in Iwate, according to the JMA, which initially estimated the quake's strength at 7.4 but later revised it upwards.
"Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building," it 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," it said.
Footage from national broadcaster NHK did not show any immediate visible damage around several ports in Iwate.
A JMA official warned in a televised press briefing that more quakes could strike the area within the next week, particularly within the next two to three days, potentially "causing even stronger shaking".
The prime minister's office said it had set up a crisis management team.
"For those of you who live in areas for which the warnings have been issued, please evacuate to higher, safer places such as higher ground," Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters, adding that the government was trying to confirm whether there were any casualties or property damage.
- AFP