Major earthquake in Japan, 7.5 magnitude recorded, tsunami alert issued

TOKYO: A powerful earthquake has struck northern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a magnitude 7.4 earthquake had struck. Authorities warned of waves up to three meters (ten feet) high and a tsunami. The quake struck at 4:53 pm local time in the Pacific Ocean off northern Iwate Prefecture.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean. The earthquake was so strong that even large buildings in Tokyo, hundreds of kilometers away, were shaken.

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train services were suspended following the earthquake. The meteorological agency warned that tsunami waves could hit the northern coast soon. Officials also said people should not move from safe places until the warning is lifted.