A 7.0-magnitude aftershock hit Japan Monday, triggering a tsunami alert on the one-month anniversary of the twin natural disasters that claimed 25,000 lives.
The warning that has since been cancelled was issued for a one-metre (three-foot) tsunami — the same as the warning issued after a strong aftershock hit the northeastern coast of the nation last week.
The quake hit around 4:30 p.m. (Japanese time) and was lifted an hour later.
The strong aftershock came hours after people across the country observed a moment of silence for the thousands of victims of the March 11 quake and tsunami that sparked a nuclear crisis at the Dai-ichi Fukushima plant.
Authorities have expanded the evacuation zone around the damaged plant from 20 to 30 kilometres due to fears of long-term health risks posed by heightened radiation levels.
Last month’s disasters lead to an estimated $310 billion in damages. A quarter of a million people are still without electricity.