Tsunami warning issued after powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake struck more than 35 miles below the sea off the coast of Fukushima.

Wednesday 16 March 2022 17:24, UK

Furniture and other items scattered at an apartment in Fukushima following the quake. Pic: AP
Image: Furniture and other items scattered at an apartment in Fukushima following the quake. Pic: AP
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A powerful earthquake has hit northern Japan, triggering a tsunami warning and plunging more than two million homes in Tokyo into darkness.

The tremor registered a magnitude of 7.3, according to public broadcaster NHK.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake struck 60km (36 miles) below the sea off the coast of Fukushima at 11.36pm local time.

Goods were thrown across a store in Fukushima when the earthquake struck. Pic: AP
Image: Goods were thrown across a store in Fukushima when the earthquake struck. Pic: AP

It is the same region which was devastated by a magnitude 9.0 quake in March 2011, causing a tsunami which led to an accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant when the cooling systems failed.

The quake shook large parts of eastern Japan, including the capital of Tokyo, where buildings swayed violently. There have not yet been any reports of casualties.

There have been widespread power outages in Tokyo, which is situated around 150 miles away from Fukushima.

Damage in Fukushima as officials continued to warn people of further aftershocks. Pic: AP
Image: Damage in Fukushima as officials continued to warn people of further aftershocks. Pic: AP
Large parts of Tokyo were thrown into darkness by the quake
Image: Large parts of Tokyo were thrown into darkness by the quake

Tokyo Electric Power Company said that around two million households were without power and that it was also checking the condition of reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which it operates.

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Authorities had warned residents in Fukushima, Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures to expect aftershocks.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the government was assessing the extent of any damage following the tremor.

An employee at a store in Iwaki, Fukushima, clears up following the quake. Pic: AP
Image: An employee at a store in Iwaki, Fukushima, clears up following the quake. Pic: AP

The meteorological agency issued a tsunami advisory for a sea surge of up to one metre in parts of Miyagi and Fukushima.

NHK said the tsunami might have reached some areas already.

Japan's Air Self-Defence Force said it dispatched fighter jets from the Hyakuri base in Ibaraki prefecture, just south of Fukushima, to gather more information on possible damage.

East Japan Railway said most of its train services were suspended for safety checks.

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