Magnitude 7.3 quake hits coast of Japan

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the north-east coast of Japan on Friday, triggering a 1m tsunami.

Local reports say that the wave swept ashore at just after 6pm local time (0900 GMT) in Ishinomaki, a city badly hit by the 2011 tsunami.

The epicentre was initially determined at 37.8 degrees latitude north, 144.2 degrees longitude east, at a depth of 10km, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported.

The tremor was followed by a 6.2 magnitude aftershock off the east coast of Honshu at 08:31 GMT, the US Geological Survey said.

Residents in Miyagi prefecture were advised to flee to higher ground following the quake, but there is no risk of a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

There have so far been no reported deaths or injuries.