A massive 7.3-magnitude quake jolted East Japan, triggering a one-meter-high tsunami advisory for coasts along the area, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake happened just before 11:36 pm on Wednesday, which is around midnight Thursday in Japan, was centred off the coast of the Fukushima region at a depth of 60 kilometres.
At least two million homes across nine prefectures, including Tokyo, are experiencing blackouts, TEPCO Power Grid reported. Namie is a small town in Fukushima prefecture. Police said there were no initial reports of injuries or damage, according to local news station NHK Fukushima.
In a tweet, the Japan Meteorological Agency advised residents to steer clear of the coast, it said: “Keep away from dangerous areas … with strong shaking.”
Eleven years ago, the region was part of northern Japan hit by a deadly 9.0 quake and tsunami that caused nuclear plant meltdowns. Wednesday’s quake came only days after the area marked the 11th anniversary of the disaster in March 201.
A minute’s silence was held on Friday, the anniversary of the disaster, to remember the some 18,500 who died or missing in the tsunami.