Tsunami detected and warnings for 3-metre waves in place after major earthquake

First tsunami waves have begun reaching Iwate prefecture
Tsunami warnings have been issued for most of Japan’s eastern coastline after a major 7.5-magnitude earthquake in the Pacific Ocean.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of an imminent tsunami up to 3 metres in height for parts of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures.

The ‌earthquake had an epicentre in the ⁠Pacific Ocean and was 10 km deep, according to the JMA.

The earthquake struck off the Sanriku coast at 4.53pm local time, with its epicentre located around 100km east of the coastal city of Miyako in Iwate prefecture.

The size of the quake has twice been upgraded from 7.3 and then 7.4.

On Japan's ‌own seismic intensity scale it measured an “upper 5” – strong ​enough to make ‌it ⁠difficult for people ⁠to move around.

In many ‌cases, ​unreinforced concrete-block ‌walls collapse.

Evacuation advisories issued to 128,000 people across four regions
People nearest the earthquake epicentre are being urged to move to higher ground, tsunami warnings still in place.

Iwate and three other northern prefectures have issued non-binding evacuation advisories to more than 128,000 residents, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

The agency said officials are assessing the situation but so far no damage or injuries have been reported, including at power stations and other facilities.

Warning issued for bigger tsunami waves in Japan
Japan's Meteorological Agency has warned that a bigger tsunami may hit after the first wave.

In the hour following the earthquake, ​which ⁠struck at 4.52pm (0752 GMT), tsunami waves as high as 80 cm had been detected, while warnings remained for waves as high as 3 metres.

The agency had earlier issued tsunami warnings in parts of Hokkaido and Iwate prefectures.

Mapped: A look at tsunami warnings in place after 7.5 earthquake
Is it safe to travel to Japan?

Latest tsunami travel advice
As of Monday morning, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has not issued any new travel advice for Japan.

General FCDO safety advice for Japan warns that the country sits “in a major earthquake zone”.

Travellers are told to “take note of instructions in hotel rooms and at train stations and follow the advice of local authorities” in the event of a disaster.

Earthquake, tsunami and aftershock warnings can be monitored on the Japan Meteorological Agency website.

Air travel in northern Japan not impacted after 7.5 earthquake
The operators of two airports closest to the earthquake epicentre – Shin-chitose and Sendai – said they were operating normally.

The status update was issued on Monday evening around an hour after the 7.5-magnitude earthquake 100km off the coast, saying their operations had not been affected.

Watch live from Japan as 7.5-magnitude earthquake triggers tsunami warnings
No change in radiation or abnormality recorded at Fukushima plants, officials say
The Tokyo Electric Power Company has confirmed there are no abnormalities at its Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini nuclear plants after a major earthquake rocked the country’s northeastern coast.

There's been no change in radiation levels around the sites, the operator said.

In northern areas, the Tohoku Electric Power Company said no abnormalities have been seen so far at either its Higashidori nuclear power plant in Aomori prefecture or its Onagawa plant in Miyagi prefecture.

A recyclable-fuel storage company also said no abnormalities were seen at the interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel in Aomori prefecture.

Watch: Japan's prime minister orders evacuations after major 7.5-magnitude quake
Residents told to seek shelter on higher ground
Residents of areas subject to tsunami warnings have been asked to immediately move away from the coast and rivers and take shelter on higher ground, according to Japan's weather agency.

The regions with the highest-level warnings are Iwate and central Hokkaido, though tsunami alerts are in place for most of Japan's eastern coastline.

Japanese PM says 'human and material damage' reported
The major earthquake in Japan has caused damage, prime minister Sanae Takaichi said.

"At this time, we have received a report that 'human and material damage is currently being confirmed', but from now on, we will receive detailed reports and address the disaster response,” she said.

PM Takaichi has set up an emergency task force to deal with the earthquake.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies