M7.6 quake rocks Sea of Japan areas, large tsunami warning issued

TOKYO, Jan. 1 Kyodo - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 rocked a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast Monday, disrupting the festive mood of New Year celebrations, with a large tsunami warning issued for the central prefecture of Ishikawa. The quake, which also shook buildings in central Tokyo, occurred around 4:10 p.m., registering a maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. A tsunami measuring 1.2 meters or higher reached Wajima Port in the region. (Kyodo)