Earthquake of 7.6 magnitude strikes Japan, but tsunami threat passes off

A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 hit the Ishikawa prefecture in central Japan, triggering around 1 metre high tsunami waves in parts of Japan’s west coast along the Sea of Japan, forcing authorities to warn residents of possible aftershocks and tsunami and advising people to evacuate.

However, a tsunami of around 1 metre high that struck parts of the west coast along the Sea of Japan, failed to trigger larger waves, broadcaster NHK reported.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said that the tsunami threat from a powerful earthquake that struck central Japan has "largely passed," even as the 7.6 magnitude earthquake, brought in waves over a metre high in some areas.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, “The tsunami threat has now largely passed”.

The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama.

“All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground,” NHK said after the quake hit the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10pm local time (07:10 GMT). It said another earthquake warning had been issued for Ishikawa.

US and Japanese agencies had warned of possible hazardous tsunami waves of up to 5 metres high along the north coast of central Japan within 300km of the quake’s epicentre.

TV footage aired by NHK showed buildings collapsing in Ishikawa, and tremors shaking buildings in the capital Tokyo on the opposite coast.

More than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power said.

 Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said no irregularities have been confirmed at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including five active reactors at Kansai Electric Power’s Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui prefecture.

South Korea’s meteorological agency said the sea level in some parts of the Gangwon province on the east coast may rise.

Japan is one of the countries facing higher risks of earthquakes and tsunami. A huge earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan on 11 March 2011, killed nearly 20,000 people, devastated towns and triggered a nuclear meltdown in Fukushima.