A strong magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan. Soon the country’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the region’s coast including Fukushima prefecture.
The earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the country shortly before 6:00 am local time in the Pacific off Fukushima at a shallow depth of 11.3 kilometres.
A tsunami of up to 1.4 meters had been observed around Sendai, about 70 kilometers north of Fukushima. It was originally reported that a potential tsunami may be up to three meters, but the channel broadcasted shortly after that it could be even higher.
A 60 centimeter tsunami reached the Onahama Port in Fukushima. The area was expected to be struck repeatedly. Shortly after the first tsunami struck, the water cooling system seemed to have stopped at TEPCO’s Daini nuclear power plant.
Japan Railways has suspended operation of dozens of bullet trains in eastern Japan.
