Update on the Japan quake. The temblor was registered at a magnitude of 7.3 (down from 7.4 reported earlier) and struck at 5:18 p.m. local time, accordingto the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake hit in the same area as a devastating quake and tsunami in March last year that killed nearly 20,000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.

Although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no risk of a widespread tsunami, warnings were issued for the Miyagi Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Miyagi was at the center of the 2011 disaster.

Shortly afterward, the first batch of tsunami waves, measuring about 3 feet tall, hit the town of Ishinomaki, in Miyagi Prefecture, according to Japanese television. Another tsunami wave, measuring about a foot tall, was detected at Ofunato. Read