Niigata and Yamagata regions are on alert after the 6.8 magnitude quake struck this afternoon and evaucations are underway. 

The quake struck at around 22:41 JST and hit 53 miles northeast of the island of Honshu.

The epicentre of the quake struck at a depth of about seven miles in the Sea of Japan.

The Japanese Trade Ministry has said that there is no information on any damage to the country’s nuclear power plant, including Fukushima. 

A tsunami of 1m is expected to hit Yamagata, Niigata Coast, Sado Island and Ishikawa Noto. 

The city of Murakami (pop. 60,000) in Niigata Prefecture was among the hardest hit.

“Phone lines to city government, police and fire departments are knocked out, according to @nhk_news. #Japan #quake”

The affected regions have been placed on Tsunami alert, as well as in the Ishikawa prefecture.

East Japan Railway Company have said that they have suspended Yamagata, Akita and Joetsu bullet train services and some roads in the region have also been closed to traffic. 

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the quake

However, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a 0.2-1.0 metre tsunami warning along the north west coast of the main island.

The urgent warning read: “A marine threat is present. Get out of the water and leave coastal regions immediately.

“Due to the risk of ongoing strong currents, do not enter the sea or approach coastal regions until the advisory is lifted.

“Slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but no tsunami damage is expected.”

The US’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the tsunami threat did not extend to Hawaii or Guam.

In an information statement it said: “An earthquake wth a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 occurred near the west coast of Honshu, Japan at 10.22pm CHST (2.22pm BST) on Tuesday June 18.

“Based on all available data there is no tsunami threat to Guam, Rota, Tinian or Saipan from this earthquake.

“No action is required.”

According to Tohoku Electric Power, blackouts have occurred in Yamagata and parts of Niigata.

In Yamagata Prefecture, there are about 5,700 homes in Tsuruoka City and about 200 homes in Sakata City.

News agency AFP reported a wave of one metre was expected to hit the coast north of Tokyo.

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