BANGKOK: Japan is taking no risks after a 7.3 magnitude underwater earthquake hit near the capital, Tokyo. Reports from the city say buildings began to sway as a result. A tsunami warning has been put forward and the government has urged citizens to get away from coastal areas. A presenter on state broadcaster NHK repeatedly told viewers to get to safety. “Remember last year's quake and tsunami,” he said. “Call on your neighbors and flee to higher ground now!” Media reports said a one-meter-high wave could sweep ashore in an area badly hit by the March 2011 tsunami that devastated a large swathe of the northeast coast, killing thousands. Residents of at least one town, Minamisanriku in Miyagi prefecture, were advised to evacuate to higher ground, reports said, suggesting other towns were also affected. NHK, quoting the national meteorological agency, said the tsunami was expected to hit the coast of Iwate at 5:40 pm (0840 GMT), Fukushima at 5:50 pm, and Aomori and Ibaraki at 6:00 PM. According to national media reports across the country, residents in potential tsunami areas have already begun moving away from the shore in order to get to a safe area if a wave were to hit the country.
