Japan issues tsunami warning after major quake rocks country

Japan on Saturday issued a tsunami warning after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the northeastern coast of the country, with shaking felt hundreds of miles from the epicenter. 

The Japanese Meteorological Agency reported that the quake hit the coast of Miyagi Prefecture just after 6 p.m. local time, with a depth of approximately 40 miles, according to Reuters.

While the country’s weather service initially issued a tsunami warning for the area of up to 3 feet of water, this was later lifted, though the agency continued to predict slight sea level changes along the coast. 

Japan’s NHK public broadcaster advised residents to avoid the coast, and added that the quake caused a temporary blackout in some areas and suspended bullet train services, according to The Associated Press. 

The New York Times reported that the quake, which lasted for roughly 30 seconds, could be felt hundreds of miles away in Tokyo. 

Videos shared on social media captured the moments the quake was felt throughout the country, with security footage capturing buildings shaking as people drove in the street and worked in offices. 

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Japan 5:09 AM has hit this morning.
Tsunami warning issued.
It was recorded off the coast of Ishinomaki, a city located just 65 miles from Fukushima.
Be safe. #earthquake#Tsunami#Japan
pic.twitter.com/ozhWbLkioR

— ∼Marietta (@_MariettaDavis) March 20, 2021

Magnitude of 7.2 #earthquake hits off eastern Japan – warning center#world #WorldNews #InternationalNews #EarthquakePH #earthquake #Japan #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/3taHGVEUqy

— Harshini Kempu (@Harshini_Tv9) March 20, 2021

Despite power outages, NHK said there were no immediate reports of major infrastructure damage. 

NHK added later in the evening that a handful of minor injuries were reported as a result of the earthquake. 

Saturday’s quake came just over a week after Japan recognized the 10th anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Fukushima Prefecture, killing an estimated 20,000 people. 

The 30-foot waves in the 2011 disaster also led to a nuclear power plant meltdown that triggered a nuclear emergency, with total damage estimated at $300 billion, according to CNN.