7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Japan, Fukushima tsunami advisory lifted

An earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitude struck 231 miles off Japan's coast Saturday morning, leading the country to issue a tsunami advisory for the Fukushima province that has now been lifted.

The quake's epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, 295 miles northeast of Tokyo and 231 miles east of Honshu Island.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the Fukushima tsunami advisory at 1:14 p.m. EST, but the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami was unlikely to hit key US coastal regions.

"Marine threat is in place," the Japanese agency warned. "Get out of the water and leave the coast immediately."

It said a tsunami measuring up to 3 feet in height could reach the coast, but expected no damage.

"Though there may be slight sea-level change in coastal regions, no tsunami damage is expected," the agency said.

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