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Japanese residents have been urged to "evacuate immediately" after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the northwest coast of the country. A tsunami warning was also issued, with waves that could reach as high as 5 meters (16 feet) in some areas.
A number of major highways were closed and train services were ordered to stop, while several power plants halted operations as authorities checked in on coal-fired units and nuclear reactors.
Meanwhile, the Tokyo Stock Exchange was closed on Monday for New Year's Day and will be shuttered for market holidays until Wednesday, giving traders some time to size up the events before it reopens.
In 2011, Japan was struck by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, resulting in a major tsunami that devastated north-eastern coastal communities, killing nearly 20,000 people and triggering a nuclear meltdown in Fukushima.
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