Tokyo - An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Japan's northeastern Honshu Island on Friday, and a six-meter tsunami warning has been issued.
Japan Meteorological Agency said earlier that the quake was measured at 7.9 magnitude but the US Geological Survey later upgraded the quake to magnitude 8.8.
The quake, which struck at 2:46 pm (05:46 GMT), was felt in almost all areas in Japan's pacific coast, including Tokyo and Osaka. The powerful quake struck 382 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, with a depth of 10 kilometers under the seabed.
Numerous people are reported to be injured and black smoke was seen rising from a building in Tokyo's Odaiba waterfront area, with a major blackout throughout Yamagata Prefecture was reported.
Japan has issued a six-meter tsunami warning and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas.
A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and US state of Hawaii.
