7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan

An earthquake of 7.2 magnitude has struck off the coast of Japan, shaking buildings in the capital, Tokyo.

The tremor was centred 160 km (100 miles) east of the country's main Honshu island.

A tsunami alert for waves of up to 50 cm was issued for northeast Japan, after the quake hit at 0245 GMT.

Also of note, Tohoku Electric Power said its Onagawa nuclear plant was operating normally after the quake. Tokyo Electric Power also said there was no impact on its power plants in the region.  20% of the world's earthquakes of greater than 6.2 magnitude occur in this region.