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Japan tsunami warning after quake Fears over tsunami ease in Japan
(about 1 hour later)
Japanese authorities have issued tsunami warnings after an earthquake measuring 8.3 was reported in the north-western Pacific Ocean. Tsunami fears raised in Japan by a quake in the Pacific Ocean have eased after the first small wave washed on to the north-eastern coast.
Warnings were issued for the north-eastern coast of the northernmost island of Hokkaido, with a lesser warning for the island of Honshu. The wave reached Kushiro on the coast of Hokkaido Island at 1452 (0552 GMT), about 90 minutes after the earthquake, Japanese monitors say.
A tsunami measuring up to 1m (3ft) in height could hit the coastline from 1400 (0500 GMT), officials reported. Warnings had gone out for the island's north-eastern coast, with a lesser warning for the island of Honshu.
Meteorologists had warned of a tsunami up to 1m (3ft) in height from 1400.
However, as the appointed time passed, most areas said there had been no visible changes to the sea level.
Evacuation
The earthquake happened at 1324 (0424 GMT), the meteorological agency said.The earthquake happened at 1324 (0424 GMT), the meteorological agency said.
Officials in towns along Japan's Pacific coast issued evacuation orders to flee to higher ground, reports said.Officials in towns along Japan's Pacific coast issued evacuation orders to flee to higher ground, reports said.
The US meteorological agency also registered a quake, but assessed its strength as 7.7. Estimates of the magnitude of the quake vary from 7.7 to 8.3.
Nevertheless, the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Russia, Japan and Markus Island in the Pacific Ocean. The US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Russia, Japan and Markus Island in the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaii, Taiwan and the Philippines were among a host of Pacific territories put on tsunami watch, a lower level of alert.Hawaii, Taiwan and the Philippines were among a host of Pacific territories put on tsunami watch, a lower level of alert.
The warning added that there had been no confirmation a tsunami was generated by the earthquake. There was no confirmation that a tsunami was generated by the earthquake, the warning added.