TOKYO, April 20 (Reuters) – A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to 3 metres (10 ft) were expected.
Two hours after the tremor, which struck at 4:52 p.m. (0752 GMT), tsunami waves as high as 80 cm had been detected, though warnings remained for possible bigger waves at the top of Japan’s main Honshu island, and the northern Hokkaido region.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, Japan’s top government spokesperson Minoru Kihara told a news conference as night fell in the capital Tokyo.
Several port towns including Otsuchi and Kamaishi – both hard-hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 – earlier issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents, according to public broadcaster NHK. Bullet train services were halted and some motorways were closed due to the tremors.
Big aftershocks may occur in the following days and weeks, an official from Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said at a separate televised press conference.
