Tsunami warning issued after 7.5 magnitude earthquake hits central Japan

A tsunami warning has been issued for the country's western coast after a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 rocked central Japan on Monday.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the intensity was measured 7 on the Japanese scale (which ranges from zero to seven) on the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, according to NHK.

The earthquake occurred at 4:10 pm (local time) 42 km North-East of Anamizu, Japan at the depth of 10 km, according to the USGS. According to the reports, it also shook buildings in central Tokyo.

Waves of 80 cm reached Toyama Prefecture around 4:35 pm and waves of 40 meters also reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, at 4:36 pm. It also reached Niigata's Sado Island at 4:10 pm.

Meanwhile, the authorities have issued tsunami warning and have urged people to quickly leave coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Yamagata prefectures and move to the higher areas, with over 1.2-meter waves reaching the Noto Peninsula's Wajima Port in Ishikawa.  

The office of Prime Minister has also issued instruction amid the tensed situation. The assessment of the damages due to earthquake is still awaited.