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The quake, which hit at 11:32 pm local time (1432 GMT), was initially measured at 7.4-magnitude, according to the US Geological Survey, which said it struck 66 kilometres (40 miles) east of Sendai at a shallow depth of 25.6 kilometres (15.9 miles).
USGS seismologists later downgraded its strength to 7.1, and revised its depth to 49 kilometres.
Workers battling to control the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant on Japan's northeast coast were ordered to evacuate, plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. said.
"After the earthquake and the tsunami warning, all the workers evacuated to a safe area. The company confirmed all the workers have cleared the plant safely," a TEPCO spokesman said.
"We have no information immediately indicating any abnormality at Fukushima Daiichi plant," a spokesman told a press conference.
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