TOKYO: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude on the Richter scale hit northeastern Japan late Thursday.
Television report from Japan said a tsunami alert has been issued for the affected areas.
The quake, which hit at 11:32 pm Japan time (10.35 Malaysian time) is reported to have struck 66 kilometres east of Sendai.
Sendai is the city that faced the worst brunt of the tsunami following a 9 magnitude earthquake about a month ago.
According to the report, emergency workers at the stricken Japan nuclear plant in Fukushima have been ordered to evacuate.
The Star April 7, 2011 MYT 11:05:07 PM
