Jan 16 (NHK) - A tsunami alert has been issued for many coastal areas in Japan. It came after a massive volcanic eruption in Tonga on Saturday. A tsunami warning is currently in place for the northeastern prefecture of Iwate. Waves up to 3 meters high may be seen in that area.
The Japan Meteorological Agency earlier issued a warning for the Amami Islands and the Tokara Islands in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima. It has since changed the warning to an advisory.
A tsunami advisory is also in place in many other regions.
A 1.2-meter tsunami was observed on Amami Ohshima Island late on Saturday. A 1.1-meter wave was seen early on Sunday in Iwate Prefecture's Kuji Port.
Ninty-centimeter waves have also been observed in other locations along the Pacific coast.
Japan Coast Guard patrol boats and planes have been sent to see if coastal areas have been damaged. But officials say no reports of damage have been received so far.
Railway and ferry services in some areas will be suspended while the alert is in effect.
Even if one tsunami has reached a shore, others could follow. Higher waves may arrive after the initial ones.
The meteorological agency is urging people to remain vigilant in the coastal areas, where tsunami alerts have been issued.
Local governments have issued evacuation orders for more than 200,000 people living in the coastal areas of seven prefectures.
Aomori, Iwate, Chiba and Kagoshima are among those prefectures.
Residents are being advised to stay away from beaches and to avoid the mouths of rivers.
A video taken in Setouchi Town on Amami-Oshima Island shows many cars trying to get to higher ground. Inside are people evacuating from their homes.
