00:00 [sound of earthquake and tsunami]
00:07 A powerful earthquake and tsunami struck central Japan and its western coast on Monday,
00:12 triggering warnings for residents to evacuate, knocking out power to thousands of homes
00:18 and disrupting flights and rail services to the affected region.
00:22 The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6,
00:25 triggered waves of around one meter along parts of the Sea of Japan coast,
00:30 with a larger wave expected.
00:32 The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued tsunami warnings
00:36 for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama.
00:41 Authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage,
00:44 and residents need to prepare for any more tremors.
00:48 Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has advised residents to stay on alert
00:52 for further possible quakes and also urged people in areas
00:56 where tsunamis are expected to evacuate as soon as possible.
01:00 It is said more than 36,000 households had lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.
01:08 [silence]
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