TOKYO — A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan on Monday evening, triggering a tsunami as high as 70 centimeters (27.6 feet) in some coastal areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of the possibility of rising waves.

Several people were injured, according to media reports.

The quake struck at around 11:15 p.m. local time in the Pacific Ocean, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture on Honshu island.

A tsunami wave of 70 centimeters (27.6 feet) was measured at Koji Port in Iwate Prefecture, and waves of up to 50 centimeters (20.6 feet) were reported in other coastal areas.

The Meteorological Agency warned that waves could reach 3 meters (10 feet) in some areas. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary urged people to immediately seek shelter in higher ground or stay in safe buildings and evacuation centers.

Several people were reported injured at a hotel in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and a man in Tohoku suffered minor injuries when his car fell into a sinkhole.

Kihara said the region's nuclear power plants were conducting safety checks and no problems had been reported so far.

Several fires broke out in Aomori and about 90,000 people were evacuated, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

Satoshi Kato, vice principal of a middle school in Hachinohe, said he was at home when the quake struck and glassware and dishes were broken by the shaking. He encountered heavy traffic and several accidents on his way to the school, which was designated as an evacuation center.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had formed a crisis team, stressing: "People's lives are our top priority and we will do everything we can."

The quake struck at a depth of about 50 kilometers below sea level, just a few kilometers north of the area that was hit by a catastrophic 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 2011, which killed nearly 20,000 people.

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