Photo: Weibo account of People's Daily

No casualties of Chinese nationals have been reported so far after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Wednesday, Zhan Kongchao, counsellor and Consul General of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that the embassy is still working on getting more information about the current situation.

The embassy immediately contacted the overseas Chinese associations and consular assistance volunteers to learn more about possible casualties among our compatriots, said Zhan, noting that no fatalities have been reported so far. The public should raise vigilance and prepare for any disaster. 

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan on Wednesday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a tsunami warning. The earthquake occurred at around 11:36 pm local time at 37.7 north latitude and 141.7 east longitude and a depth of 60 km.

No abnormalities at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants have been reported, Japanese media reported.

According to the NHK, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida issued instructions calling on all efforts to carry out emergency rescue of the victims and provide accurate information to the citizens. 

Japanese seismologists said current analysis show that the earthquake was the result of  the apparent sinking of the Pacific plate and stressed the need for vigilance for a week or so. They also reminded people to be cautious about the potential damages caused by the earthquake.