A tsunami warning has been issued after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's eastern coast.
The epicentre of the quake was about 245km (153 miles) south-east of Kamiashi at a depth of about 36km, the US Geological Survey said. The quake was felt in the capital Tokyo, media report.
The tsunami warning was issued for the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, which was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat to the wider Pacific Ocean but that a tsunami could be generated that was destructive for local coastlines.
Warnings of the tsunami height varied from between 50cm and two metres. Evacuations have been ordered from some of the affected areas. Buildings were reported to have swayed in Tokyo for several minutes. (BBC)