Japan issues tsunami warnings, orders evacuations after earthquakes

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Japan earthquake blamed for fire as country issues tsunami warnings

A fire burned in the aftermath of a series of earthquakes striking Japan Monday. (NTV)

Japanese authorities issued tsunami alerts and evacuation announcements Monday after a series of earthquakes shook the west part of the main island. 

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake was reported around 4 p.m., the strongest of more than a dozen documented by the Japan Meteorological Agency. 

Major tsunami warnings were issued for Ishikawa prefecture, while the rest of the country's western coast was also issued less severe warnings. The highest-level alert was later lifted, though coastal residents were told to remain away from their homes due to the danger of deadly waves.

"Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately," said government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi. 

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Cracks are seen on the ground in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, following an earthquake. Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday after a series of strong quakes in the Sea of Japan.  (Kyodo News via AP)

State television station NHK warned residents of rising water up to 16.5 feet. 

A 10-foot tsunami was predicted to make landfall in Niigata prefecture on the coast of the Sea of Japan.  

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A house is damaged by an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. (Kyodo News via AP)

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The earthquakes disrupted train lines, cut off power to multiple areas, and ignited fires in residential buildings necessitating emergency response.

The Japanese Self-Defense Force is contributing to disaster relief in multiple prefectures. No deaths have been confirmed from the natural disasters yet.

Meteorologists say there's a possibility for further powerful quakes in the next several days.

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A member of Korea coast guard patrols to watch for possible changes in sea levels on a beach in Gangneung, South Korea. (You Hyung-jae/Yonhap via AP)

The New Year's Day natural disasters raised tsunami concerns across the sea in both North Korea and Russia. 

Additionally, South Korea's meteorological authorities announced heightened caution, urging vigilance on the country's eastern coast in case of delayed after-effects.

A tsunami warning is shown on TV in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the press that an emergency center has been established to collect and disseminate information on the earthquake and tsunami risk as the situation develops.

Tsunami warnings are still in place and evacuation orders are still ongoing.