Earthquake shakes northern Japan

A strong earthquake has shaken northern Japan today, prompting authorities to briefly warn of a threat of a small tsunami wave along the country’s northeastern shore.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency said the magnitude-7.0 quake, which struck off the coast of Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido at 11.15pm (11.15 Irish time), was centred about 31 miles beneath the ocean floor.

The agency quickly issued a tsunami warning for the eastern shores of Hokkaido’s Pacific coastal area, instructing residents to flee to higher ground and avoid ports and coasts. Tsunami are potentially dangerous waves triggered by seismic or volcanic activity.

Public broadcaster NHK showed footage of an office in Nemuro city, about 556 miles northwest of Tokyo, shaking for about 30 seconds.

In nearby Akkeshi, where the quake hit hardest, some residents reported items falling off shelves, said town official Masayasu Tanabe.

Police said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Train services in eastern Hokkaido were immediately suspended for safety inspections, and homes in some areas lost power, NHK said.

The quake was the second sizeable one to strike Hokkaido in the past week. On November 29, a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Hokkaido injuring 24 people, swaying buildings and triggering a small tsunami wave that reached the shore.