Major tsunami warning issued in Japan with coastline bracing for 16ft waves after huge 7.4-magnitude earthquake

An urgent tsunami warning has been issued in Japan after a massive 7.4 earthquake.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning along the coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures.

According to Japanese news channel NHK, waves of up to 5 meters are expected off the coast of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture.

The quake comes after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck the north-central part of the country.

Hokuriku Electric Power said it is monitoring for any irregularities at its nuclear power plants, NHK reported.

This is a breaking story.