Tsunami waves measuring up to 1.3 meters were observed off the Pacific coast of Japan, with authorities urging people in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground.

Waves of 4ft (1.2m) have already hit Hawaii on the coast of Oahu, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

A tsunami advisory was also issued for parts of Alaska and the entire West Coast after a powerful earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.