A powerful earthquake rocked north-central Japan on Monday, sending tremors and triggering tsunami warnings along parts of the western coast and advisories for residents to evacuate.
The preliminary magnitude 7.6 quake struck followed by a tsunami around one metre high hitting parts of the coast along the Sea of Japan, prompting concerns of potentially higher waves in Ishikawa Prefecture's Noto area, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Initial reports confirmed waves exceeding one metre already lashing the coast of Wajima City. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures as the situation unfolds.
Nuclear power plant operator Hokuriku Electric Power is assessing all facilities for potential damage.
The Japanese traffic authority has said that major highways have been closed near the epicentre of the quake.
A huge earthquake and tsunami had struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011, devastating towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima.
This is a developing story.
