Magnitude 7 earthquake in Japan triggers tsunami warning

Sun. Japan registered a powerful earthquake on Saturday that shook buildings in the capital Tokyo and triggered a tsunami alarm off the country’s northeast coast.

No serious damage was reported, but several people suffered minor injuries.

The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake reached a magnitude of 7 and had its epicenter 21 miles east of Ishinomaki, at a depth of 33.3 miles.

The earthquake occurred off the coast of Miyagi prefecture, in the north-east of the country, which was severely damaged in the powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 2011, which killed more than 18,000 people.

The tsunami warning hit Miyagi prefecture. Shaking started shortly before 6:10 pm. Local time.

The Japan Meteorological Service issued a tsunami warning up to one meter high for Miyagi immediately after the earthquake, but canceled it after 90 minutes.

Authorities said there were no reports of damage.

The Fire and Disaster Agency said seven people were injured in Miyagi prefecture, including two elderly women – one hit on the head by a door and the other on the shoulder by furniture. In neighboring Iwate prefecture, a woman in her 50s fell and cut her lip.

The strong earthquake caused, according to the East Japan Railway Co.

The Nuclear Regulatory Authority said no anomalies have been detected at nuclear power plants in the region, including the Fukushima Daiichi, which suffered a meltdown in 2011.

A spokeswoman for the weather agency, Noriko Kamaya, told a news conference that Saturday’s earthquake is considered an aftershock of the magnitude 9 earthquake in 2011. Kamaya called on people to be careful and stay away from the coast.