Japan has issued a major tsunami warning after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the central region.
Residents in the coastal Noto area in Ishikawa prefecture were asked to "evacuate immediately to higher ground," national broadcaster NHK said.
NHK said waves as high as 5m had reached Noto.
Authorities have also issued tsunami warnings for neighbouring Niigata and Toyama prefectures, warning that waves there could reach 3m.
Public television flashed "EVACUATE" in big letters, urging residents to flee to higher ground despite the winter weather.
People have also posted videos of the earthquake from their homes and from inside subway stations.
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