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Japan earthquake sparks tsunami advisory near Fukushima Japan earthquake sparks tsunami at Fukushima
(35 minutes later)
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake off north-eastern Japan near Fukushima prefecture has prompted a tsunami advisory. A 7.4 magnitude earthquake off Japan's Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures has sparked tsunami waves of more than 1m.
The quake struck on Tuesday morning at about 06:00 local time (21:00 GMT Monday), the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The quake struck at about 06:00 local time (21:00 GMT Monday), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Residents were asked to seek higher ground immediately. There were reports of minor injuries. Residents were told to seek higher ground immediately, with warnings of waves of up to 3m. There were reports of minor injuries and damage.
In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami struck the same area killing thousands and destroying parts of the coastline. An earthquake and tsunami struck the same area in 2011 killing more than 18,000 people.
The depth of the quake was estimated to be 30km (18.6 miles), the agency said. That quake, one of the most powerful ever recorded, also caused a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, where a massive clean-up operation is still going on.
The initial tsunami warning of possible 3m (10ft) waves was downgraded to an advisory just before 10:00 local time. Officials have said there is no sign of damage to the plant this time.
The US Geological Survey initially put the magnitude at 7.3 but later downgraded this to 6.9, lower than the number given by the Japanese authorities.
The meteorological agency said the latest tremor was an aftershock of the 2011 quake.
A spokesman quoted by Japan Times said the area was still generating at least one earthquake of 7.0 magnitude or more each year.
Heading for higher ground
The depth of Tuesday's quake was estimated to be 30km (18.6 miles), the JMA said.
Strong tremors could be felt as far away as the capital, Tokyo, 100 miles south of Fukushima prefecture. Buildings in the capital shook for at least 30 seconds.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo says tens of thousands of people have heeded evacuation warnings and headed for higher ground.The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo says tens of thousands of people have heeded evacuation warnings and headed for higher ground.
A tsunami advisory was also issued for Miyagi prefecture, where a 1.4m wave was observed at Sendai port. Ships could be seen moving away from harbours in Fukushima prefecture and car manufacturer Nissan suspended work at its Fukushima engine factory.
A 1m wave hit the coastline near the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was severely damaged by the 2011 quake and tsunami, the AFP news agency said. A 1m wave hit the coastline near the Fukushima nuclear power plant, but Cabinet Chief Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a televised news conference that "there was no problem".
Tokyo Electric Power has been checking the plant for damage from the latest quake. All reactors were shut down in 2011, but cooling is still needed for the used nuclear fuel stored on the site.
Cabinet Chief Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a televised news conference that the water cooling system on the third reactor of the Fukushima plant had stopped working, but there were no signs of damage and no other abnormalities at other nuclear facilities. Mr Suga said the water cooling system on the third reactor had stopped working, but there were no signs of further damage or abnormalities.
The plant operator later said it had restarted the cooling system, and reported only small temperature increases, within safety limits. Tokyo Electric Power, which operates the plant, later said it had restarted the cooling system, and reported only small temperature increases, within safety limits.
More than 18,000 people were killed or reported missing following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The nuclear meltdown contaminated the surrounding area, displacing at least 100,000 people from their homes. A wave of 60cm (2ft) arrived in Onahama Port in Fukushima, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported, and another of 90cm in Soma.
All reactors in the Fukushima nuclear plant were shut down following the 2011 disaster, but cooling is still needed for the used nuclear fuel stored on the site. Tsunami warnings were downgraded after four hours, but locals were asked to continue evacuating the area and to avoid the coastline.
The US Geological Survey initially put the magnitude of Tuesday's earthquake at 7.3 but later downgraded this to 6.9, lower than the number given by the Japanese authorities. There so far appears to have been only minimal damage, and our correspondent says tsunami defences rebuilt since 2011 have ensured that waves have not caused flooding nor damage.
Damage from the quake remains unclear. Tremors were felt in Tokyo and our correspondent says buildings in the capital shook for at least 30 seconds. More than 18,000 people were killed or are still missing after the 2011 Fukushima quake and tsunami, which devastated a wide area.
Ships could be seen moving away from harbours in Fukushima prefecture, and car manufacturer Nissan suspended work at its Fukushima engine factory. The meltdown at the power plant contaminated the surrounding area, displacing at least 100,000 people.
A wave of 60cm (2ft) has arrived in Onahama Port in Fukushima, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported, and another of 90cm in Soma.
The warnings were downgraded after four hours, but locals were asked to continue evacuating the area and to avoid the coastline.
Meanwhile, New Zealand authorities reported on Tuesday that an earthquake of 5.6 magnitude and 30km depth hit an area 200km north east of the capital Wellington. There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
Japan lies in a particularly seismically active region and accounts for around 20% of quakes worldwide of magnitude 6.0 or more.Japan lies in a particularly seismically active region and accounts for around 20% of quakes worldwide of magnitude 6.0 or more.
At least 50 people died in two quakes in the southern Kumamoto prefecture in April.At least 50 people died in two quakes in the southern Kumamoto prefecture in April.
Meanwhile, an earthquake of 5.6 magnitude and 30km depth hit an area 200km north east of the New Zealand capital, Wellington. There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.
Have you been affected by the earthquake? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the earthquake? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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