Major quake hits off Japan

TOKYO, Apr 20 (Reuters): A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to 3 metres (10 ft) were expected.

Two hours after the tremor, which struck at 4:52 p.m. (0752 GMT), tsunami waves as high as 80 cm had been detected, though warnings remained for possible bigger waves at the top of Japan's main Honshu island, and the northern Hokkaido region.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, Japan's top government spokesperson Minoru Kihara told a news conference as night fell in the capital Tokyo.