Japan: M7.5 Quake Hits Off Aomori Prefecture, Tsunami Warning Issued 8

A powerful Magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture around 11:15 p.m. on Monday, December 8, injuring dozens of people and leading to immediate tsunami warnings and evacuation orders for residents. A 70 cm tsunami was observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, and all warnings were subsequently lifted.

Japan members pose before 1st Asian Cup match

Japan members pose before 1st Asian Cup match

NEWCASTLE, Australia - The 11 starting members of Japan's national soccer team pose ahead of their first Asian Cup match in Newcastle, Australia, on Jan. 12, 2015. In the front row are (from L) midfielder Makoto Hasebe, forward Shinji Okazaki, midfielder Yasuhito Endo, defenders Gotoku Sakai and Yuto Nagatomo, and forward Takashi Inui. In the back row are (from L) goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, defenders Maya Yoshida and Masato Morishige, and forwards Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda.

Actor Sakai's 'Hanzawa Naoki' wins top TV drama award

Actor Sakai's 'Hanzawa Naoki' wins top TV drama award

TOKYO, Japan - Actor Masato Sakai wears a broad smile as the serial TV drama "Hanzawa Naoki," in which he played the role of an adversarial banker, is given the top prize in the 2014 Tokyo Drama Awards at a ceremony in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2014. Sakai himself was given the best actor prize.

Nazca Lines

Nazca Lines

TOKYO, Japan - Yamagata University professor Masato Sakai speaks in the city of Yamagata, northeastern Japan, on April 12, 2013. He said a team of researchers from the university has discovered a new set of Nazca Lines depicting two people in Peru.

Japanese hopefuls miss out on medal in 200 butterfly

Japanese hopefuls miss out on medal in 200 butterfly

Japanese swimmer Masato Sakai punches the wall in anger after missing out on a medal in the men's 200-meter butterfly at the world swimming championships in Kazan, Russia, on Aug. 5, 2015. Sakai was fourth in the event won by Laszlo Cseh of Hungary. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese hopefuls miss out on medal in 200 butterfly

Japanese hopefuls miss out on medal in 200 butterfly

Japan's Masato Sakai (L) and Daiya Seto (C) come in fourth and sixth, respectively, in the men's 200-meter butterfly final at the world swimming championships in Kazan, Russia, on Aug. 5, 2015. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Actor Sakai's 'Hanzawa Naoki' wins top TV drama award

Actor Sakai's 'Hanzawa Naoki' wins top TV drama award

TOKYO, Japan - Actor Masato Sakai wears a broad smile as the serial TV drama "Hanzawa Naoki," in which he played the role of an adversarial banker, is given the top prize in the 2014 Tokyo Drama Awards at a ceremony in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2014. Sakai himself was given the best actor prize. (Kyodo)

Swimming: Japan gunning for more than 2 golds at world c'ships

Swimming: Japan gunning for more than 2 golds at world c'ships

Some members of the Japan swimming team -- (from front R clockwise) Yui Ohashi, Rikako Ikee, Suzuka Hasegawa, Yasuhiro Koseki, Daiya Seto, Kosuke Hagino, Masato Sakai and head coach Norimasa Hirai -- attend a press conference in Tokyo on April 17, 2017, ahead of the world championships in Budapest in July. Hirai said Japan will aim for at least three gold medals. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sakai bests Seto to win Asian 200 fly crown

Sakai bests Seto to win Asian 200 fly crown

Masato Sakai (back) and Daiya Seto of Japan compete in the men's 200-meter butterfly final at the Asian swimming championships at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center on Nov. 19, 2016. Sakai held off fellow Rio Olympic medalist Seto to win the event. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Swimming: Seto wins World Cup races in Tokyo

Swimming: Seto wins World Cup races in Tokyo

Daiya Seto leads Japanese compatriot Masato Sakai en route to winning the men's 200-meter butterfly final in a short-course World Cup meet at Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center on Oct. 25, 2016. The Rio Olympic bronze medalist also won the men's 400-meter individual medley the same day. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sakai pushes Phelps to max to take 200m butterfly silver

Sakai pushes Phelps to max to take 200m butterfly silver

Japanese swimmer Masato Sakai shows off his 200-meter butterfly silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. Michael Phelps won the event to extend his record Olympic gold tally to 20. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sakai pushes Phelps to max to take 200m butterfly silver

Sakai pushes Phelps to max to take 200m butterfly silver

Japanese swimmer Masato Sakai shows off his 200-meter butterfly silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. Michael Phelps won the event to extend his record Olympic gold tally to 20. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Phelps wins, Sakai takes silver in men's 200m butterfly

Olympics: Phelps wins, Sakai takes silver in men's 200m butterfly

The men's 200-meter butterfly gold medalist Michael Phelps (R) of the United States and silver medalist Masato Sakai of Japan shake hands at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Medalists in men's 200-meter butterfly

Olympics: Medalists in men's 200-meter butterfly

The men's 200-meter butterfly gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States (C), silver medalist Masato Sakai of Japan (L) and bronze medalist Tamas Kenderesi of Hungary display their medals at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Medalists in men's 200-meter butterfly

Olympics: Medalists in men's 200-meter butterfly

The men's 200-meter butterfly gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States (C), silver medalist Masato Sakai of Japan (L) and bronze medalist Tamas Kenderesi of Hungary display their medals at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Phelps wins 200 fly for 20th Olympic swimming gold

Phelps wins 200 fly for 20th Olympic swimming gold

Michael Phelps of the United States (C) poses for photos after winning the men's 200-meter butterfly for his record-extending 20th Olympic gold medal, alongside bronze medalist Tamas Kenderesi (L) of Hungary and silver medalist Masato Sakai of Japan, at the Rio de Janeiro Games on Aug. 9, 2016. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Japan's Seto 5th in men's 200M butterfly

Olympics: Japan's Seto 5th in men's 200M butterfly

Japan's Daiya Seto looks disappointed after finishing fifth in the men's 200-meter butterfly at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. Michael Phelps of the United States and Japan's Masato Sakai won gold and silver, respectively, in the event. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Japan's Masato Sakai pumps his fist after winning the silver medal in the men's 200-meter butterfly at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. Michael Phelps of the United States won the event. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Japan's Masato Sakai pumps his fist after winning the silver medal in the men's 200-meter butterfly at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. Michael Phelps of the United States won the event. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Japan's Masato Sakai competes in the men's 200-meter butterfly final at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. The 21-year-old Sakai obtained the silver in the event won by Michael Phelps of the United States. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Olympics: Japan's Sakai wins silver in men's 200M butterfly

Japan's Masato Sakai competes in the men's 200-meter butterfly final at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Aug. 9, 2016. The 21-year-old Sakai obtained the silver in the event won by Michael Phelps of the United States. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo