The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami was expected to arrive within minutes of the quake on Sunday evening, with a maximum height of one meter, or just over three feet.
The quake struck about 80 miles east of Yamada, Japan, in the Iwate prefecture on the main island of Honshu, according to the United States Geological Survey.
A tsunami advisory is the lowest of three types of tsunami alerts issued by the agency, and warns people to evacuate coastal areas. It applies to possible tsunamis of one meter or less. Tsunamis of that size can produce strong currents that can capsize small vessels.
