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Japan earthquake: 7.4 magnitude quake prompts tsunami warning – live updates Japan earthquake: 7.4 magnitude quake prompts tsunami warning – live updates
(35 minutes later)
12.52am GMT
00:52
Tsunami warnings downgraded
Tsunami warnings for the Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures have been downgraded to alerts, a lower level of risk.
12.46am GMT
00:46
The epicentre of the earthquake is off the coast of Fukushima.
The magnitude 7.4 quake hit at a depth of around 20km, according to latest reports.
12.37am GMT
00:37
The earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo, 240km (150 miles) southwest of the epicentre.
Kirsty Brown is an Australian who has been living in Tokyo with her husband and 18-month-old daughter for just seven weeks. The family lives 20 minutes from Shinkjuku, and woke up to the earthquake early this morning:
I’d experienced a small quake here on one of our visits several years ago. I thought my husband pushed me out of the bed that time, but this was quite a good deal stronger, and you could feel the whole house wobble. The sensation was similar to your bed suddenly deciding to zig-zag, and it lasted for around 90 seconds.
No alarms went off, no alerts came to our phones. My dog and husband rolled over and went back to sleep, but I immediately took to my phone to see if I should be getting us ready for a bigger quake.
On moving here we were told about earthquake preparedness – similar to prepping for bushfires back home – so I was thinking about getting our backpack with water and clothes ready, and whether or not I needed to switch off the mains in the house.
But nothing happened, and there was no commotion outside, so within 30 minutes we were peacefully back to sleep – and have just now woken up again to the sounds of the junior school across from us starting their day as usual.
And another reader tweets me to say:
@Claire_Phipps Australian on hols in Tokyo, Sumida. Building was shaking and swaying for 5 mins at 6am
12.31am GMT
00:31
Nissan is suspending work at its Fukushima factory, Reuters reports:
Nissan Motor Co said it would suspend work at its engine factory in Fukushima at least until a tsunami warning is lifted after a powerful earthquake rocked northern Japan early on Tuesday.
A spokesman said there were no injuries or damage at the plant, which was badly damaged in an earthquake and tsunami disaster in March 2011.
Separately, Toyota Motor Corp said all its factories in northeastern Japan were operating as usual.
12.20am GMT
00:20
Police: two people injured
Japan’s National Police Agency has said two people were slightly injured during the quake.
NHK News reports that one woman in Yabuki, Fukushima prefecture, was hurt when a cupboard fell over.
A man in Fukushima city is also reported to have suffered minor wounds.
12.16am GMT12.16am GMT
00:1600:16
Experts in Australia have been assessing today’s earthquake against the devastating 2011 quake and tsunami:Experts in Australia have been assessing today’s earthquake against the devastating 2011 quake and tsunami:
Professor James Goff, director of the Australia-Pacific tsunami research centre and natural hazards research laboratory, University of New South Wales, says:Professor James Goff, director of the Australia-Pacific tsunami research centre and natural hazards research laboratory, University of New South Wales, says:
In general, with the size of the earthquake experienced, I would not expect any wave to reach the heights of those experienced in 2011, but that does not mean that this event will not be damaging. Tsunamis as small as 90cm can be extremely damaging and so in a sense, we are ‘watching this space’…In general, with the size of the earthquake experienced, I would not expect any wave to reach the heights of those experienced in 2011, but that does not mean that this event will not be damaging. Tsunamis as small as 90cm can be extremely damaging and so in a sense, we are ‘watching this space’…
One concern is not necessarily the size of the earthquake itself but whether or not it might generate submarine landslides that can themselves generate large tsunamis.One concern is not necessarily the size of the earthquake itself but whether or not it might generate submarine landslides that can themselves generate large tsunamis.
Associate professor Dale Dominey-Howes, disaster risk management expert at the University of Sydney, says:Associate professor Dale Dominey-Howes, disaster risk management expert at the University of Sydney, says:
Today’s event is much smaller than the 2011 catastrophic event. The earthquake maybe an aftershock of the 2011 event. It has affected the same region as the 2011 event.Today’s event is much smaller than the 2011 catastrophic event. The earthquake maybe an aftershock of the 2011 event. It has affected the same region as the 2011 event.
A regional tsunami has been generated – smaller than 2011 but still potentially dangerous. People who live in the region have been advised to evacuate, with authorities taking no chances after the 2011 disaster.A regional tsunami has been generated – smaller than 2011 but still potentially dangerous. People who live in the region have been advised to evacuate, with authorities taking no chances after the 2011 disaster.
Residents in the region are still struggling to recover from the 2011 event resulting in compound socio-psychological impacts on survivors. Aftershocks will continue in the region for days to weeks to come.Residents in the region are still struggling to recover from the 2011 event resulting in compound socio-psychological impacts on survivors. Aftershocks will continue in the region for days to weeks to come.
12.05am GMT12.05am GMT
00:0500:05
Tsunami updateTsunami update
A 1.4m-high tsunami wave has been observed in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, at 8.03am.A 1.4m-high tsunami wave has been observed in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, at 8.03am.
It’s the highest so far recorded, although officials stress that second and subsequent waves could be higher, and are still urging people in affected areas to move to higher ground.It’s the highest so far recorded, although officials stress that second and subsequent waves could be higher, and are still urging people in affected areas to move to higher ground.
Other high waves recorded include:Other high waves recorded include:
It’s currently 9am in Japan.It’s currently 9am in Japan.
12.02am GMT12.02am GMT
00:0200:02
There have so far been reports of only minor injuries following the magnitude 7.4 quake, which struck just before 6am local time at a depth of 25km.There have so far been reports of only minor injuries following the magnitude 7.4 quake, which struck just before 6am local time at a depth of 25km.
11.51pm GMT11.51pm GMT
23:5123:51
Some photos from Kyodo, via Reuters, which are being circulated to news agencies. They show a traffic jam and concerned onlookers.Some photos from Kyodo, via Reuters, which are being circulated to news agencies. They show a traffic jam and concerned onlookers.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.56pm GMTat 11.56pm GMT
11.51pm GMT11.51pm GMT
23:5123:51
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has issued a statement:The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has issued a statement:
I have ordered government officials to provide the public with up-to-date and accurate information concerning tsunami evacuation.I have ordered government officials to provide the public with up-to-date and accurate information concerning tsunami evacuation.
11.47pm GMT11.47pm GMT
23:4723:47
Fukushima plant updateFukushima plant update
Tepco says the Fukushima power plant “remains intact” and safe.Tepco says the Fukushima power plant “remains intact” and safe.
The company confirms the reactor number 3 spent fuel pool pump tripped and stopped operating at 6.10am.The company confirms the reactor number 3 spent fuel pool pump tripped and stopped operating at 6.10am.
Operation resumed at 7.49am.Operation resumed at 7.49am.
Tepco says the stoppage was caused by the tremor and “strong acceleration” at the power plant.Tepco says the stoppage was caused by the tremor and “strong acceleration” at the power plant.
The quake also caused the temperature inside the reactor to increase to 29.5C from 28.7C over 90 minutes.The quake also caused the temperature inside the reactor to increase to 29.5C from 28.7C over 90 minutes.
At 6.38am, the Fukushima Daichi and Daini plants had a tsunami wave about 1m high.At 6.38am, the Fukushima Daichi and Daini plants had a tsunami wave about 1m high.
A second wave was “not very high”.A second wave was “not very high”.
There have been no casualties at the Fukushima plant.There have been no casualties at the Fukushima plant.
11.25pm GMT11.25pm GMT
23:2523:25
The Fukushima Daini reactor 3 cooling system, which had stopped operating, has been restored.The Fukushima Daini reactor 3 cooling system, which had stopped operating, has been restored.
The operator of the plant said no abnormalities have been observed.The operator of the plant said no abnormalities have been observed.
Power was temporarily lost for cooling water for a spent fuel pool at the Fukushima Daini plant, but has been restored, broadcaster NHK reports.Power was temporarily lost for cooling water for a spent fuel pool at the Fukushima Daini plant, but has been restored, broadcaster NHK reports.
11.19pm GMT11.19pm GMT
23:1923:19
New tsunami warning for Miyagi prefectureNew tsunami warning for Miyagi prefecture
A tsunami warning has now been issued for the Miyagi prefecture, expanding the zone believed to be under threat.A tsunami warning has now been issued for the Miyagi prefecture, expanding the zone believed to be under threat.
Residents are told to evacuate their homes for higher ground.Residents are told to evacuate their homes for higher ground.
11.13pm GMT11.13pm GMT
23:1323:13
Japan revises quake up to magnitude 7.4Japan revises quake up to magnitude 7.4
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is holding a news conference.The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is holding a news conference.
It says the initial quake, recorded at 5.59am, has been revised up to magnitude 7.4.It says the initial quake, recorded at 5.59am, has been revised up to magnitude 7.4.
A tsunami alert has been issued, centring on Fukushima.A tsunami alert has been issued, centring on Fukushima.
There is also a warning that landslides may occur.There is also a warning that landslides may occur.
11.09pm GMT11.09pm GMT
23:0923:09
The tide level is still rising along the coast, with waves as high as 1m now reaching the shore.The tide level is still rising along the coast, with waves as high as 1m now reaching the shore.
Residents are being instructed to stay away from the water.Residents are being instructed to stay away from the water.
There are warnings that second and subsequent waves can be higher than the initial tsnuami waves.There are warnings that second and subsequent waves can be higher than the initial tsnuami waves.
11.03pm GMT11.03pm GMT
23:0323:03
Residents of Japan’s northern Pacific coast are still being told to leave their homes and seek higher ground via televised tsunami advisories:Residents of Japan’s northern Pacific coast are still being told to leave their homes and seek higher ground via televised tsunami advisories:
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.15pm GMTat 11.15pm GMT