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A POWERFUL tsunami pulses down a busy river following Japan's latest earthquake trauma, hurtling towards terrified motorists.

Fears the 7.4 magnitude quake could further damage the Fukushima nuclear facility - located just 70 miles from the epicentre - have since calmed.

But the ferocity of the tremor and the subsequent metre-high tsunami have been caught in astonishing CCTV footage from eastern Japan's Sunaoshi River.

Incredible images show the tsunami moving along the Sunaoshi River following the 7.4-magnitude quake off the eastern coastline
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Incredible images show the tsunami moving along the Sunaoshi River following the 7.4-magnitude quake off the eastern coastlineCredit: Reuters
Waves had been expected to reach up to three metres in height, but eventually lapped at one metre. Terrified motorists awaited their fate on a bridge across the river
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Waves had been expected to reach up to three metres in height, but eventually lapped at one metre. Terrified motorists awaited their fate on a bridge across the riverCredit: AP:Associated Press
Japan is regularly hit by powerful earthquakes and invests heavily in anti-tremor technology
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Japan is regularly hit by powerful earthquakes and invests heavily in anti-tremor technologyCredit: AP:Associated Press
A devastating quake in 2011 caused a tsunami that left 11,000 dead. It badly damaged the Fukushima Nuclear facility (pictured). The plant was barely miles from the latest epicentre
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A devastating quake in 2011 caused a tsunami that left 11,000 dead. It badly damaged the Fukushima Nuclear facility (pictured). The plant was barely miles from the latest epicentreCredit: EPA
Japan is on Tsunami alert after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast near Fukushima
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Japan is on Tsunami alert after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast near Fukushima

Cars carrying panic-stricken locals can be seen parked on a bridge over the river braced for the wave to hit.

Yet miraculously, only minor injuries have been reported after thousands fled the shoreline in the early hours of this morning.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary earlier urged residents to evacuate as waves of up to three metres approached the eastern coast.

But fears eased as it became apparent the water would only hit the three-foot mark.

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Witnesses some 100 miles away in capital Tokyo reported feeling the tremor shortly after 6am local time on Tuesday morning (9pm GMT).

Cooling at the nuclear disaster site at ailing Fukushima is thought to have been affected by the natural disaster, but the operator says there is no immediate danger.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised the government would do all it could to deal with the aftermath.

He also instructed officials to grasp the extent of the damage and to do their utmost to respond to the disaster.

Japanese experts said they believed the disaster was a powerful aftershock of the gigantic 9.0-magnitude quake that left 15,000 dead following a devastating tsunami in 2011.

Members of the media, wearing protective suits and masks, receive briefing from Tokyo Electric Power Co.
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Members of the media, wearing protective suits and masks, receive briefing from Tokyo Electric Power Co.Credit: Reuters
Firefighters and city officials check the water level at an estuary following a tsunami warning in Iwaki,
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Firefighters and city officials check the water level at an estuary following a tsunami warning in Iwaki,Credit: AP:Associated Press
The quake struck close to Fukushima in Japan, triggering tsunamis on the eastern coastline
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The quake struck close to Fukushima in Japan, triggering tsunamis on the eastern coastline

A warning from the US Meteorological Survey read: "An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 occurred near the east coast of Honshu, Japan at 9pm (GMT).

"Based on all available data... Hazardous tsunami waves are forecast for some coasts.

"Tsunami waves reaching 0.3 to 1 metres above the tide level are possible for some coasts of Japan."

The survey originally put the quake at a 7.3 magnitude, but downgraded it to 6.9 shortly after.

Japan's meteorological survey added: "Damage due to tsunami waves is expected. Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building.

A traffic jam is seen as people evacuate after tsunami advisories were issued following an earthquake
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A traffic jam is seen as people evacuate after tsunami advisories were issued following an earthquakeCredit: Reuters
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the government will do all it can to deal with the effects of a powerful earthquake
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the government will do all it can to deal with the effects of a powerful earthquakeCredit: AP:Associated Press
A 6.9 earthquake has caused a tsunami warning in Japan
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A 6.9 earthquake has caused a tsunami warning in JapanCredit: EPA

"Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted."

Warning sirens were played across Fukushima as the waves begin to hit land, NHK world reports.

Tremors of 5.4, 4.8 and 5.3 magnitudes have been felt since the original shake.

The epicentre of the shudder was felt as far as the capital Tokyo, it has been reported.

Today’s quake

Magnitude: 6.9

Distance from shore: 72 miles

Depth: 7 miles

Maximum wave height: up to 9ft

2011 quake

Magnitude: 9.0

Distance from shore: 45 miles

Depth: 15 miles

Maximum wave height: 128 feet

Death toll: over 15,000

There are no immediate reports of damage or injury and Tokyo Electric Power Co is checking its nuclear plants in Fukushima for damage.

The public broadcaster said: "Please do not think that you are safe. Please evacuate to high grounds.

"Please think about the worst-case scenario and evacuate right away."

Fukushima, which was destroyed by a tsunami in 2011 - sparking a massive nuclear crisis, is at risk of being hit by another wave.

A fire broke out close to the nuclear site in the town of Iwaki following the earthquake, but it was quickly put out by firefighters.

Japan is on Tsunami alert after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast
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Japan is on Tsunami alert after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast
Residents are being told to evacuate after the tsunami hit shortly after 9am local time
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Residents are being told to evacuate after the tsunami hit shortly after 9am local time
Eastern Japan was left devastated after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in 2011
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Eastern Japan was left devastated after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in 2011Credit: Reuters

Japan is one of the world's most seismically active areas and earthquakes are common.

Fukishima was destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011 - triggering the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl.

The 2011 quake was magnitude 9 - the strongest on record in the country.

More than 18,000 were killed or reported missing following the disaster.

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