A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 hit central Japan on Monday, prompting officials to issue a tsunami warning and urge people to move to higher ground.

The Japanese broadcaster NHK TV warned waves could reach as high as 5 metres (16.5 feet), citing the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

There were no immediate reports of casualties but video shared on Twitter/X showed some buildings collapsed in a rural area, merchandise knocked off shelves in stores, and road damage in Ishikawa prefecture. At least 38,000 households in the region had lost power, according to utility websites.

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