7.3 Magnitude Quake Hits Off Northeastern Japan

People crowd at Sendai railway station in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 after trains were halted following a strong earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan. It is the same region that was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami last year. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

A strong 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan on Friday.

The quake lasts for about several minutes minutes.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at 5:18 p.m. (0818 GMT).

It is  in the same region that was hit by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and deadly tsunami last year.

The epicenter was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) beneath the seabed and 240 kilometers (150 miles) offshore.

Tokyo high-rises swayed for several minutes.

Authorities issued a warning that a tsunami potentially as high as 2 meters (2.2 yards) could hit.

A tsunami of 1 meter (1 yard) hit Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi, at 6:02 p.m. (0902 GMT).

So far no deaths or serious damage were reported.

This is a disaster!