Japan

Japanese authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning issued after a powerful 7.6 earthquake on New Year’s Day, according to the Japanese broadcaster NHK. However, the Japanese Meteorological Institute (JMA) has advised residents to stay on the alert as the authority says that earthquakes of a similar intensity will remain a possibility for about a week. The JMA first issued a major tsunami warning in connection with the quake, warning of the danger of waves up to five meters high. It was the first major tsunami warning in Japan since a powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit the country in March 2011. The newest advisory has now revised its previous warning. /ritzau/NHK/