UPDATE - Northeastern Japan rocked by strong earthquake

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By Anadolu staff

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's northeastern coast on Friday, the US Geological Survey reported, prompting Tokyo to issue a tsunami advisory.

The earthquake was recorded around 0244GMT and was measured at a depth of 16 kilometers (9.94 miles) off the coast of Hachinohe city in Aomori prefecture, said USGS.

Japan’s weather agency issued a tsunami advisory for the northern and northeastern parts of the country and predicted waves of up to 1 meter (3.2 feet) in the affected regions, according to Kyodo news agency.

Authorities also issued evacuation orders in several cities and asked people to move to safe places, public broadcaster NHK reported.

No abnormalities have been reported by nuclear plants in the affected region.

There are also no reports of damage so far.

The latest strong quake hit the region after authorities earlier warned of strong tremors this week.