Strong quake rocks Japan again

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan late yesterday, seismologists said, prompting Japanese authorities to issue a localised tsunami alert.
The quake, which hit at 11:32 pm local time, had a magnitude of 7.4, according to the US Geological Survey, which said it struck 66 kilometres east of Sendai.
Japan's weather bureau issued a tsunami alert for the Pacific coast, saying that waves of up to two metres could hit the shoreline.
In a statement on its website the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said it did not expect a Pacific-wide tsunami.
Although the epicentre was at a distance of 333 kilometres from Tokyo, it caused buildings to shake in the Japanese capital.
"Please do not hesitate to leave for higher ground," broadcaster NHK said repeatedly.