Central Japan was struck by a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake on Monday, leading to tsunami warnings and urgent evacuation.
Tsunami warnings were also issued for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures, also along the Japan Sea Coast.
More than 36,000 houses experiencing power outage following earthquake - Hokuriku electric power company.
Major highways closed near epicentre of Japan quake: Traffic authority.Japan chief cabinet secretary Hayashi: Calls on people to evacuate to safe place following earthquake and tsunami.
Hazardous tsunami waves possible along Japan coast within 300km of quake epicentre: US agency.
Tsunami of up to 5 metres high are believed to be reaching Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture, according to the weather agency.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has also issued tsunami alerts for North Korea and Russia's far eastern region , The Spectator Index has reported.