Tsunami alert issued after 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Japan

A strong earthquake was felt in Japan’s capital at around 6.10pm local time (9.10am GMT)

The quake was felt in Tokyo (John Walton/PA)

Authorities in Japan have issued a tsunami warning for Miyagi prefecture in the country’s northeast after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake off the coast.

The US Consulate in Sapporo has told people in the area to "seek higher ground."