Japan on high alert for ‘huge’ second quake after issuing tsunami warning1 hour agoChika Nakayama,Kurumi Mori,Tokyo correspondentandFlora DruryReutersOfficials in Japan have warned of an increased risk of a “huge” earthquake in the next week after a 7.7 magnitude quake struck off the north-east coast, triggering an evacuation order and warnings of 3m tsunami waves.Thousands of people were told to leave coastal areas for higher ground after the quake in waters off Iwate prefecture, 530km (330 miles) north of the capital Tokyo.The biggest waves measured 80cm but the meteorological agency in earthquake-prone Japan warned that quakes “causing even stronger shaking” could occur in the next week, producing bigger waves.Later, the agency warned the risk of a quake measuring 8.0 or higher was now “relatively higher than during normal times”. The Japanese are still haunted by the memory of the 2011 tsunami that killed over 18,000 people. Tokyo felt tremors. In Hokkaido, tsunami alerts were still in place for two hours after the earthquake struck at 16:52 local (08:52 BST). “As soon we heard the earthquake alarm, everyone ran downstairs,” Chaw su Thwe, a Myanmar citizen living in Hokkaido told the BBC. This time, the shaking was milder. She added that local authorities were using loudspeakers to warn residents of a possible tsunami. “Office workers were allowed to leave early. Minoru Kihara, Japan’s Cabinet secretary, told reporters that “a number of bullet trains had been affected and 100 homes were left without power.” He said that there were no immediate reports about major injuries or damage. A tsunami warning was issued along part of Japan’s eastern coast. The warning is the second highest level of alert. People are told to evacuate immediately coastal areas and riverside area and move to higher grounds or an evacuation building. “Tsunamis are expected to hit repeatedly.” Japan’s Meteorological Agency told reporters that people should not leave the safe ground until the warning was lifted. Prime Minister Sanae Taichi also echoed this plea. Since then, the government issues warnings and advisories for people to get to higher ground.Does Japan’s megaquake warning mean the ‘big one’ is coming?JapanEarthquakes
