A massive earthquake followed by a tsunami hit Japan on Friday, with reports of numerous injuries and ships being washed ashore by waves.
Japan's NHK says a small tsunami hit the shore near the epicenter around 3 p.m. local time.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island, and the Northern Marianas.
The magnitude-8.9 quake struck about 382 kilometers (237 miles) northeast of Tokyo, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Smoke could be seen rising from a building in Tokyo's port, one media report noted.
Sendai Airport (C) is flooded after a tsunami following an earthquake in Sendai, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. ReutersStudents hold candles as they pray for Japan's earthquake victims inside their school in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.ReutersPassengers sleep at a lobby as they wait for their transportation at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, March 12, 2011. A devastating tsunami triggered by the biggest earthquake on record in Japan killed at least 1,000 people along the northeastern coast on Friday after a wall of water swept away everything in its path.ReutersStranded people rest at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building which has been converted into a temporary shelter after public transportation was suspended after an earthquake hit, in Tokyo ReutersAccording to IHS iSuppli, Japan accounted for almost 14 percent of global electronic equipment factory revenue last year. This morning's earthquakes will have significant effects on Japan's economy. ReutersStranded people rest at the Tokyo International Forum building, which has been converted into a temporary shelter after public transportation was suspended due to an earthquake, in Tokyo. ReutersFires burn in a harbour following an earthquake and tsunami in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. A massive 8.9 magnitude quake hit northeast Japan on Friday, causing many injuries, fires and a four-metre (13-ft) tsunami along parts of the country's coastline, NHK television and witnesses reported. There were several strong aftershocks and a warning of a 10-metre tsunami following the quake, which also caused buildings to shake violently in the capital Tokyo. ReutersWhirlpools are seen following a tsunami and earthquake in Iwaki city, Fukushima Prefecture, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire.ReutersAn oncoming tsunami strikes the coast in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.ReutersStreets are flooded after a tsunami and earthquake in Kesennuma city, Miyagi Prefecture, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire.ReutersFishing boats are swept by a tsunami in Oarai City in Ibaragi Prefecture, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake on record to hit Japan struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings.ReutersSendai Airport is flooded after a tsunami following an earthquake in Sendai, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. ReutersOfficials in protective gear check for signs of radiation on children who are from the evacuation area near the Fukushima nuclear plant.ReutersA massive tsunami sweeps in to engulf a residential area after a powerful earthquake in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.ReutersNatural gas containers burn at a facility following an earthquake in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, Japan March 11, 2011.Explosion was heard at Japan's nuclear plant on Saturday, following melt-down.ReutersBuildings burn following an earthquake in Otsichi town, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire. ReutersHouses lie flattened after a powerful earthquake in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. ReutersBuildings burn following an earthquake in Yamada town, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire.ReutersHouses are swept by water following a tsunami and earthquake in Natori City in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. A massive 8.9 magnitude quake hit northeast Japan on Friday, causing many injuries, fires and a ten-metre (33-ft) tsunami along parts of the country's coastline. There were several strong aftershocks and a warning of a 10-metre tsunami following the quake, which also caused buildings to shake violently in the capital Tokyo. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.ReutersHouses and buildings burn following an earthquake in Yamada town, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire.ReutersPowerful earthquake measuring 8.8 magnitude on Richter scale hitting off Japan, shaking buildings in Tokyo,CNN video grabA collapsed chimney falls onto a factory following an earthquake in Sendai, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire. A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire Pacific basin except for the mainland United States and Canada following a huge earthquake that hit Japan on Friday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. ReutersA oil leak from the Nippon Oil Corporation Refinery is seen after a tsunami and earthquake in Shiogama City in Miyagi Prefecture.ReutersEvacuees sit through an earthquake at a temporary shelter at a stadium in Koriyama.Reuters
