TOKYO - Japanese authorities lifted tsunami warnings on Dec 9, hours after

a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake

shook northeastern regions, injuring at least 30 people and forcing about 90,000 residents to evacuate their homes. 

The earthquake struck off the coast at 11.15pm on Dec 8, and the Japan Meteorological ‍Agency said ​a tsunami as high as 3m could hit the country's northeastern coast. Warnings were issued ‍for the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate, and tsunamis from 20-70cm high were observed at several ports, JMA said.