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Japan and Russia on tsunami alert Small tsunami hits northern Japan
(20 minutes later)
A tsunami is expected to hit northern Japan and Russia's Pacific coast, the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says. A small tsunami has hit northern Japan, according to the country's meteorological agency (JMA).
Japan's meteorological agency (JMA) says a tsunami of at least two metres (6.5 feet) high could hit the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu. It said a 40cm (16 inches) wave hit Nemuro port in the Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido.
The JMA initially expected a tsunami of at least two metres (6.5 feet) high after an 8.1 magnitude earthquake shook the Kuril Islands, north of Japan.
A tsunami warning has also been issued for Russia's Pacific coast by the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Warnings are being broadcast on all Japanese TV and radio stations advising people to move to higher ground.Warnings are being broadcast on all Japanese TV and radio stations advising people to move to higher ground.
It comes after an earthquake of at least 8.1 magnitude rocked the Kuril Islands, north of Japan. Island threat
The earthquake struck about 390km (240 miles) east of Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, at 2015 (1115 GMT), the JMA said.The earthquake struck about 390km (240 miles) east of Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, at 2015 (1115 GMT), the JMA said.
Other smaller waves may batter the Pacific coast of Japan, the agency said.Other smaller waves may batter the Pacific coast of Japan, the agency said.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami warning also applied to Marcus island, Wake island and Midway island.The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami warning also applied to Marcus island, Wake island and Midway island.
There have been no reports of injuries or damage following the earthquake, while live television pictures from Nemuro, a port on Hokkaido, show calm waters. There have been no reports of injuries or damage following the earthquake.
The BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says in the past tsunamis have caused extensive damage in Japan but they were of a far greater magnitude than is being predicted.The BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo says in the past tsunamis have caused extensive damage in Japan but they were of a far greater magnitude than is being predicted.
Japan's precarious geological position makes it one of the world's most earthquake-prone nations.Japan's precarious geological position makes it one of the world's most earthquake-prone nations.
As such, it has developed a sophisticated tsunami warning service, run by the JMA.As such, it has developed a sophisticated tsunami warning service, run by the JMA.
If an earthquake looks as if it has the potential to trigger a tsunami, the JMA issues an alert within three minutes of it being identified.If an earthquake looks as if it has the potential to trigger a tsunami, the JMA issues an alert within three minutes of it being identified.


Are you in Hokkaido? Have you been affected by the tsunami warning? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Hokkaido? Have you been affected by the tsunami warning? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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