An official at the Japan Meteorological Agency said people in coastal areas and along rivers where tsunami warnings have been issued should immediately evacuate to safe places.

Shimoyama Toshihiro held a news conference at 6:10 p.m. He said tsunami waves will hit repeatedly, so people should stay in safe areas until the warnings are lifted.

He also said that in areas hit by strong tremors, there is an increasing risk of landslides and houses collapsing. He said that he wants people to stay on alert for future seismic activities as well as rainy conditions.

He said quakes with an intensity reaching the top of the scale of 7 are possible for about a week, and especially for the next two or three days.