Japan: 7.9 Quake Jolts North, Tsunami Warning Issued
By KUNA
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.9 struck off the coast of northern Japan on Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. There were no immediate reports of injuries caused by the 2:47 p.m. quake.
The agency issued a tsunami warning for waves up to six meter high along Japan’s northeastern Pacific coast.
The agency issued a rare warning of huge tsunami for waves along Japan’s the Pacific coastal region after the 2:46 p.m. (0546 GMT) quake.
According to the local authorities, a 10-meter tsunami was observed in Iwate Prefecture, some 400 km north of Tokyo.
The quake was also felt in Tokyo, prompting authorities to suspend subway service. According to police, fires broke out at some buildings in and around Tokyo, but no father details are available.
The government set up a liaison office at the prime minister’s office to gather information, while Defense force aircraft dispatched to check quake damage. Operations at nuclear power plants in the region were automatically shut down.
East Japan Railway Co. said it has suspended all Shinkansen bullet trains between Tokyo and the region.
The quake measured 7, the highest level of the Japanese seismic intensity scale in some areas of Miyagi prefectures. The agency defines an intensity of 7 as strong enough to make most furniture moves to a large extent and some jumps up.
