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Fears over tsunami ease in Japan Japan cancels tsunami evacuation
(about 5 hours later)
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. Tsunami evacuation orders have been lifted for thousands of people in Japan, following a powerful undersea earthquake in the Pacific Ocean.
The wave reached Kushiro on the coast of Hokkaido Island at 1452 (0552 GMT), about 90 minutes after the earthquake, Japanese monitors say. The national meteorological agency had warned that a tsunami up to 1m (3ft) in height could hit coastal areas.
But monitors warned people to take care as waves could still hit the region. Small waves reached the north-eastern coast of Hokkaido Island at 1452 (0552 GMT), about 90 minutes after the quake which had a magnitude of 8.2.
Warnings had gone out for the island's north-eastern coast, with a lesser warning for the island of Honshu. Advisory orders are still in effect in some areas of the island.
Meteorologists had warned of a tsunami up to 1m (3ft) in height from 1400. Meteorologists had warned of a tsunami up to 1m (3ft) in height from 1400 local time.
However, as the appointed time passed, most areas said there had been no visible changes to the sea level.However, as the appointed time passed, most areas said there had been no visible changes to the sea level.
Evacuation Downgraded
The earthquake happened at 1324 (0424 GMT), the meteorological agency said. The quake struck at 1324 (0424 GMT) near the Kuril Trench which lies between northern Japan and Russia, 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.
Estimates of the magnitude of the quake vary from 7.7 to 8.3. The agency downgraded the warnings to advisories, which were later cancelled for the north-western coast of Hokkaido, prompting some municipalities to lift evacuation orders.
Advisories in other parts of Hokkaido and towns facing the Pacific coast are still in effect, reports say.
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.
There was no confirmation that a tsunami was generated by the earthquake, the warning added.