Strong 6.9-magnitude quake hits northern Japan, tsunami advisory cancelled

A powerful 6.9 magnitude quake rattled northern Japan Sunday evening, followed by several aftershocks, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

A tsunami advisory was issued, but it was later cancelled. Waves measuring 20 centimetres were recorded in some areas.

The earthquake hit off the coast of Iwate prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometres below the sea surface, at about 5 pm Japan time (9 am CET).

There were no immediate reports of injuries, damage, or issues at the two nuclear power plants in the area.

A tsunami of up to 1 metre was expected along the northern coast, and the advisory remained in place for an hour after the initial quake.

Bullet trains in the area were temporarily delayed, according to the JR East railway operator. The quakes had also caused power shortages, local news reports said.

Operations were temporarily suspended between Sendai and Shin-Aomori train stations as the Tohoku Shinkansen briefly lost power, according to East Japan Railway.

A JMA official said at a news conference Sunday evening that similar or stronger earthquakes could occur in the next few days.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged people to move away from the coast and remain on alert for aftershocks and tsunami waves that could hit the area in a message on social media.

Tsunami waves that follow earthquakes can persist for a few hours after the quake and may grow larger over time. More tremors, possibly aftershocks, continued in Iwate Prefecture, according to reports.