Magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits Japan’s east coast, tsunami warning downgraded

In the early morning hours Tuesday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck off the coast of Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Shortly before 6 a.m. local time, the earthquake shook the Japanese east coast at a depth of 10 km. A tsunami warning was issued for waves up to three meters, or nearly 10 feet. Hours after the initial warning, it was downgraded to an advisory.

The public broadcaster NHK reported that a 2-foot tsunami was observed at Onahama Port in Fukushima. The earthquake was also reportedly felt in Tokyo.

First confirmed #tsunami has hit shore: 60cm at Iwaki. #JapanQuake pic.twitter.com/EpmAOHXf34

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 21, 2016

On its English Twitter page, Tepco said there were “no abnormalities” at any of its power plants. However, there have been some blackouts in the area, Reuters reported.

No abnormalities found at #TEPCO’s #Nuclear Power Stations after Magnitude 7.3 #earthquake off the coast of #Fukushima at 5:59JST Nov 22.

— TEPCO (@TEPCO_English) November 21, 2016

Preliminary measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey placed the magnitude at 6.9.

The warning said damage from tsunami waves was to be expected. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the Associated Press reported.

In 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake shook Japan and triggered a tsunami that led to the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.