Tokyo - A strong earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale struck the Kuril islands off Japan`s northernmost island of Hokkaido on Wednesday evening.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning covering Japan`s Pacific coast on the main island and coastal areas of Hokkaido after the earthquake hit the group of islands, which have been a source of dispute between Japan and Russia.
The agency said that a tsunami of up to 2 metres is expected to hit Hokkaido`s north and east coasts from around 9:10 pm (1210 GMT) and residents were advised to seek safety.
Japanese emergency services were moving into action to help cope with the quake`s aftermath.
Reports said a tsunami warning was also being issued for the US state of Alaska.
The quake`s epicentre was detected at 443 kilometres off the Kuril islands and at a depth of some 27 kilometres, to the US World Data Center for Seismology in Denver, Colorado.