6.8 magnitude earthquake rattles northern Japan

A strong earthquake rattled northern Japan today, causing small tsunami at the Pacific coastline though no damage or injury was reported.

According to the Japanese media, numerous cities issued evacuation orders or advisories to residents nearest the coast.

The Japan Meteorological Agency informed the quake was 6.8 magnitude. It also issued a brief tsunami advisory called off moments later.

Later, an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 hit east of Tokyo.

Just over one year ago, the northeast coast was struck by a magnitude 9 earthquake, Japan's strongest on record, and a massive tsunami, triggering the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.