A 7.7-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast off Japan, triggering a tsunami warning for swathes of the northeastern coast.
The country's meteorological agency warned tsunami waves as tall as three metres were expected to hit parts of Japan's coast.
Initial waves proved to be considerably smaller than feared, although the country’s prime minister said a report of damage was being assessed.
Areas expected to be the worst-hit include the coastlines along central Pacific Hokkaido, and Aomori and Iwate prefectures.
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Aftershocks recorded
A number of aftershocks have been felt today in Japan since the 7.7 magnitude quake hit earlier.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has recorded smaller earthquakes of 5.4, 4.9 and 4.5 off the coast of Sanriku, where the large quake took place, as well as a 4.3 magnitude earthquake off the Kiisuido Strait, in the south of the country.
'Relatively high' risk of second, large earthquake
The Japanese Meteorological Agency has said that the possibility of a large earthquake following today's 7.7 one is relatively high.
They say that probability of the larger earthquake is only about one in 100 - roughly a 10x increase in risk compared to normal conditions when it is usually 0.1% or less.
It is no guarantee that a large quake will happen again, and there is no need for advance evacuation.
Tsunami warnings downgraded to advisories
Japanese authorities have now downgraded all tsunami warnings in place around the northeastern coast to advisories.
A number of regions had tsunami warnings, the second-highest alert ion the Japanese system. They are issued for waves expected to be up to three metres high.
Tsunami Advisories are the lowest-level alerts issued for waves below one metre.
Authorities continue to advise people to remain away from the coast and to avoid large bodies of water until the advisories have been lifted.
Earthquake revised to 7.7 magnitude
Japanese authorities have revised the magnitude of the earthquake to 7.7, having initially announced it as having a magnitude of 7.5.
Authorities have also confirmed the depth the quake occurred at to be 19km, having previously said it occurred at 10km.
Quake had intensity of 5+ on Japanese scale
According to NHK, today’s quake registered an intensity of 5+ on the Japanese seismic scale of 0 to 7.
It struck off the coast of Sanriku at 8:52am UK time at a depth of 10km.
Houses lose power and bullet trains suspended
Japan’s Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara has said that residents should stay inland until tsunami warnings are lifted.
Around 100 households are currently without power, he says.
A number of bullet train services in the northeast of the country have been suspended, including the Tohoku Shinkansen line, the Yamagata Shinkansen line and the Akita Shinkansen.
Earthquake sirens sound
Footage posted on X shows tsunami alarms going off in Hakodate, a major port city in Hokkaido Prefecture.
NHK footage shows waves hitting coast
Possible aftershocks for a week
The Japan Meteorological Agency has cautioned people in the area against possible aftershocks for about a week.
These warnings are standard procedure following a major earthquake.
80cm tsunami detected
A tsunami of about 80 centimetres (2.6ft) has been detected at the Kuji port in the Iwate prefecture.
Residents have been advised to stay away from the coast or along rivers, and to take shelter on higher ground.
Residents in 11 towns in the Iwate prefecture have been issued non-binding evacuation advisories.