Massive 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan - Tsunami Reaches Coast Areas

Update: Fifth 4.4 magnitude offshore aftershock has been reported.

Tsunami reaches Fukushima coast after earthquake.

Earthquake strikes off Fukushima in Japan, tsunami warning issued. Magnitude 7.3 earthquake has hit off Japanese coast at a depth of 10km and 117km east of Fukushima.A tsunami warning for waves of up to three meters (10 feet) has been issued. Fukushima nuclear plant being checked for earthquake damage.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says the quake struck around 6 a.m at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). Fukushima prefecture is north of Tokyo and home to the nuclear power plant that was destroyed by a huge tsunami following an offshore earthquake in 2011. Japan Railways suspends operations of dozens of bullet trains running in eastern Japan following Fukushima quake.

Tokyo Electric Power Co was checking its nuclear plants in Fukushima for damage, public broadcaster NHK said. Tohoku Electric Power Co said there was no damage to its Onagawa nuclear plant.

Television footage showed ships moving out to sea from Fukushima harbors, as the meteorological agency warned of a tsunami of 3 meters (10 feet) for Fukushima, where Tepco’s Daiichi nuclear plant was devastated in a March 2011 quake and tsunami.