A massive earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 has hit central Japan, triggering a tsunami warning and advisories for residents to evacuate.
A tsunami about one metre high struck parts of the coast along the Sea of Japan with a larger wave expected, public broadcaster NHK reported on Monday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama.
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Another earthquake warning was also issued for Ishikawa on Monday evening, NHK reported.
It said Hokuriku Electric Power was checking for any irregularities at its nuclear power plants.
The company said more than 36,000 houses had lost power following the quake.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said no irregularities had been found at the Shika Nuclear Power Plant in Ishikawa prefecture.
A spokesperson for Kansai Electric Power said there were currently no abnormalities at its nuclear power plants, but the company was monitoring the situation closely.
A huge earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011, devastating towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima.
