A magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck north-eastern Japan Friday, and the Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas, dpa reported. The agency warned waves as high as 2 metres could strike Miyagiprefecture. No damage or injuries were immediately reported from the 5:18 pm (0818 GMT) quake, which was centered off the prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometres, the agency said. The region was struck on March 11, 2011, by a magnitude-9 quake, which caused major damage and set off a tsunami that devastated coastal communities. About 18,600 people died or went missing in the disaster. No abnormalities were observed Friday at the Fukushima DaiichiNuclear Power Station in Fukushima prefecture, which borders Miyagi, its operator, the Tokyo Electric Power Co, said. The plant went into meltdown after it was hit by the March 2011 disaster and has been shut down ever since.
