7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Japan

A strong magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan early today, the country's meteorological agency said, issuing a tsunami warning for the region's coast including Fukushima prefecture. 

The US Geological Agency said that the earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the country shortly before 6:00 am local time in the Pacific off Fukushima at a shallow depth of 11.3 kilometres.Public broadcaster NHK said, a tsunami of up to 1.4 meters had been observed around Sendai, about 70 kilometers north of Fukushima. It was originally reported that a potential tsunami may be up to three meters, but the channel broadcasted shortly after that it could be even higher.

A 60



centimeter tsunami reached the Onahama Port in Fukushima. The area was expected to be struck repeatedly. Shortly after the first tsunami struck, the water cooling system seemed to have stopped at TEPCO's Daini nuclear power plant. 

Tepco issued a statement however, saying that there have been no abnormalities at their power stations. The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the residents of the eastern Japanese prefectures of Miyagi and Fukushima should evacuate immediately. Japan Railways has suspended operation of dozens of bullet trains in eastern Japan. No other damage from the quake has been confirmed at any of its power plants, although there have been blackouts in some areas.