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Earthquake hits off Japan coast Earthquake hits off Japan coast
(40 minutes later)
An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 has struck off the west coast of Japan's largest island, Honshu.An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 has struck off the west coast of Japan's largest island, Honshu.
The quake was felt as far away as Tokyo, but so far no casualties or damage have been reported. Initial reports say at least one person was killed and 40 injured in the quake that was felt as far away as Tokyo.
The authorities have issued a tsunami warning for the Ishikawa prefecture, with waves of up to 50cm reported.The authorities have issued a tsunami warning for the Ishikawa prefecture, with waves of up to 50cm reported.
The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 0944 (0044 GMT) was 300km (200 miles) north-west of Tokyo, the country's meteorological agency said. Meanwhile, a second powerful earthquake also hit near Vanuatu in the southern Pacific. US seismologists reported it as having a magnitude of 7.2.
The focus of the tremor was at a depth of 50km (30 miles) below the seabed off the Noto Peninsula facing the Japan Sea, the agency said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in the capital, Port Vila, officials said. No tsunami alert was issued for islands to the south of the city.
However, emergency services were still checking the effects of the quake on remote islands, which struck at 1140 (0040 GMT Sunday).
Seismically active
The earthquake that struck Japan was recorded a few minutes later at 0942 (0042 GMT). Its epicentre was 300km (200 miles) north-west of Tokyo, the country's meteorological agency said.
In Nanao, a city with a population of around 60,000 on the Noto peninsula, emergency services were flooded with calls from people who had suffered burns and other injuries.
officials said they had received reports of a fire and a ruptured water main.
The focus of the tremor was at a depth of 50km (30 miles) below the seabed off the Noto Peninsula facing the Japan Sea, the Japan meteorological agency said.
Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas.Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas.
In October 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck the Niigata region in northern Japan, killing 65 people and injuring more than 3,000.In October 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck the Niigata region in northern Japan, killing 65 people and injuring more than 3,000.
In 1995 a magnitude 7.2 tremor killed more than 6,400 people in the city of Kobe.In 1995 a magnitude 7.2 tremor killed more than 6,400 people in the city of Kobe.