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Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 16 Mar 2022
Image credit: Screengrab of power blackout in Tokyo
Tokyo (JEN): A powerful 7.3-magnitude quake hit east Japan on Wednesday night, rattling the capital Tokyo and prompting a tsunami warning for parts of the northeast coast, media reports quoting Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The quake had an epicentre off the coast of the Fukushima region at a depth of 60 kilometres (37 miles).
Shortly after the earthquake hit at 11:36 pm (1436 GMT), an advisory for tsunami waves of one metre was issued for parts of the coast.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, but at least two million households were left without power including many in Tokyo.
"At around 11:36 p.m. on March 16, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurred with its epicenter off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture. We are currently confirming the impact of this earthquake on our facilities," TEPCO said in a tweet.
At around 11:36 p.m. on March 16, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurred with its epicenter off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture.
— TEPCO (@TEPCO_English) March 16, 2022
We are currently confirming the impact of this earthquake on our facilities.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters the government was gathering information on the situation.
"We will commit ourselves to gathering information, do our best to rescue those affected by the (quake) and communicate information appropriately," he was quoted as saying by AFP.