Strong quake hits off coast of northern Japan

A magnitude 6.8 quake has struck off the coast of Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan. A strong jolt was felt over wide areas of the region.

Officials say tsunami up to one meter high are expected along the coasts of Yamagata, Niigata and Ishikawa Prefectures.

East Japan Railway Company says it has partly suspended operations of its Shinkansen bullet train services connecting Tokyo with Aomori and Niigata Prefectures.