6.9 earthquake strikes near Japanese coast

TOKYO - Japan issued a tsunami advisory Tuesday morning after a magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck off its northeastern coast.

The quake hit shortly after 8 a.m. Japan time at a depth of about 6 miles. It shook much of northeast Japan and could be felt in Tokyo, 430 miles away. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an advisory for a possible 3-foot tsunami along the coast of Iwate prefecture. Japanese broadcaster NHK said that small tsunamis of about 3.94 inches were recorded about 45 minutes later.It warned people to stay away from the shore.

The earthquake struck in the same region hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.