A strong earthquake shook northern Japan on Wednesday evening, causing
small tidal changes on its Pacific coastline but no damage or injury was
reported.

Several towns issued evacuation orders or advisories
to residents nearest the coast. A swelling of 20 centimeters (8 inches)
was observed in the port of Hachinohe in Aomori, northern Japan, about
one hour after the quake struck the region. Smaller changes were also
reported in several locations on Hokkaido island and Aomori prefecture.

The agency lifted all tsunami advisories about an hour and half later.