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A 7.3 magnitude earthquake has shaken Tokyo after striking off the cost of Japan.

Early reports say a tsunami warning has been issued after the incident off the coast of Fukushima, the site of a major previous nuclear catastrophe.

United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake hit Namie, Futaba District, Fukushima.

The quake hit 67km northeast of Iwaki, south of the Hamadori coastal region of Fukushima, Japan, reports RT.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued tsunami advisories for much of the nation's northern Pacific coast.

A warning read: "Damage due to tsunami waves is expected. Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building.

(Image: Google)

"Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted"

Warning sirens are being played across Fukushima as NHK World reports that 60cm tsunami waves have hit the port of Onahama.

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NHK World has reported that the tsunami is expected to reach 3 metres high, and is telling viewers to evacuate immediately.

The epicentre of the earthquake, which was felt in Tokyo, was off the coast of Fukushima prefecture at a depth of about 10km (6 miles), the agency said.

(Image: CSEM EMSC)

There were no immediate reports of damage or injury, which struck at 5:59 a.m. (2059 GMT).

NHK World reported that there are no abnormalities currently reported at the plant following the quake.

The public broadcaster reported that Tokyo Electric Power Co is checking its nuclear plants for any damage caused.

It added: "Please do not think that you are safe. Please evacuate to high grounds.

"Please think about the worst-case scenario and evacuate right away."

Television footage showed ships moving out to sea from Fukushima harbours.

(Image: NHK World)

The U.S. Geological Survey initially put Tuesday's quake at a magnitude of 7.3 but down graded it to 6.9.

All nuclear plants on the coast threatened by the tsunami are shutdown in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

Only two reactors are operating in Japan, both in the southwest of the country. Even when in shutdown nuclear plants need cooling systems operating to keep spent fuel cool.

Fukushima was severely affected by the earthquake and subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster on March 11, 2011.

A tsunami triggered by the earthquake destroyed the automatic generators used for cooling the reactors at the plant.

As a result, the reactors overheated leading to three nuclear meltdowns and radioactive waste being released.

(Image: Arkadiusz Podniesinski/Rex Shutterstock)

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas.

Japan accounts for about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.

The March 11, 2011, quake was magnitude 9, the strongest quake in Japan on record.

The massive tsunami it triggered caused world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl a quarter of a century earlier.