Japan lowers tsunami alerts but warns coast residents of risk after earthquakes

(Kyodo News/AP)

Japan has dropped the highest-level tsunami alert it issued following a series of major earthquakes on Monday, but told residents in coastal areas not to return to their homes as there could still be deadly waves.

The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu.