Tsunami Warning Issued After 7.3 Magnitude Quake Rocks Japan

A tsunami alert has been issued in Japan following a powerful earthquake that struck near the Okinawan coast. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake was a 6.9 magnitude, but the U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.3 magnitude.

The earthquake struck at 05:31 local time (20:31GMT) about 52 miles east of Naha on the island of Okinawa approximately 18 miles below the seabed. There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake.

A tsunami up to 3 feet is predicted near the Okinawan coast. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, tsunami warnings were immediately put into effect and waves are expected imminently for the Okinawa, Anami, and Tokara islands of Japan.

For comparison, a 7.2 magnitude quake struck Japan's port city of Kobe in 1995, which resulted in 6,400 deaths. Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.