Japan’s Pacific coast hit by tsunami following Tonga volcano eruption
- The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami of around one metre is believed to have reached Pacific coastal areas, while a three-metre tsunami may hit islands such as Amami
- A tsunami advisory was also in effect for Hawaii, Alaska and the US Pacific coast, with reports of waves pushing boats up in the docks in Hawaii
Japan’s Pacific coast was hit early Sunday by a tsunami following a massive underwater volcanic eruption in the South Pacific island country of Tonga the previous day, prompting the weather agency to issue a tsunami warning and advisories while urging residents to move to high ground.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a three-metre tsunami may hit some of Japan’s southwestern islands including Amami Island, and a 1.2-metre tsunami was observed in the city of Amami soon before Saturday midnight.
The agency said a tsunami of around one metre is believed to have already reached other Pacific coastal areas. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage.
Following the tsunami warning and advisories by the agency, the government set up a liaison office at the prime minister’s office to gather information.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage.
Local authorities in the southwestern islands of Kagoshima Prefecture as well as those in northeastern coastal areas, a region devastated by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, urged residents to flee from the seaside.
