A strong earthquake struck central Japan on Monday, triggering warnings for residents to evacuate some areas on its west coast, destroying buildings, knocking out energy to hundreds of properties and disrupting journey to the area.
The quake with a preliminary magnitude of seven.6 triggered waves of round 1m (3 ft) alongside components of the Sea of Japan coast, with authorities saying bigger waves may observe.
The Japan Meteorological Company (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama. A significant tsunami warning – the primary because the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan – was initially issued for Ishikawa however later downgraded.
A number of homes have been destroyed and military items have been dispatched to assist with rescue operations, high authorities spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi informed reporters, including that authorities have been nonetheless assessing the extent of the harm.
Extra robust quakes within the space, the place seismic exercise has been simmering for greater than three years, may happen over coming days, JMA official Toshihiro Shimoyama mentioned.
In feedback to the press shortly after the quake struck, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida additionally warned residents to arrange for extra disasters.
“Residents want to remain on alert for additional attainable quakes and I urge folks in areas the place tsunamis are anticipated to evacuate as quickly as attainable,” Kishida mentioned.