Several small tsunamis struck Japan after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off its east coast.
Japan issued tsunami alerts in five eastern prefectures and waves of 20 to 30 centimetres were reported.
There were no immediate reports of damage on land from the powerful shallow quake, which struck about 370 kilometres off Japan's eastern coast, at a shallow depth of just 10km.
The tremor was felt throughout the country, the ABC reports.
A yellow tsunami warning was issued and the first small wave rolled ashore about an hour after the earthquake hit, AFP reports. The tsunami alert was later lifted.
The waves were far smaller than those which hit Fukushima in 2011.
Japanese media reported that people were warned to get away from the coast and move to higher ground, while staff near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were evacuated.
The Kyodo news agency says "no new abnormalities" have been found at the power station.
There was no warning for New Zealand.
