Tsunami waves up to two metres high are expected to hit the Japanese island of Okinawa, after a large earthquake with an estimated range from 6.9 to 7.3.

CNN is reporting the quake measured 7.0

The tremor was centred about 85 kilometres east of the island, and only 29 kilometres below the sea bed.

Geophysicist Paul Earle expects the effects will be concentrated on southern parts of Japan.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has advised it does not expect any significant tsunami beyond the area of southern Japan.

– NEWSTALK ZB, CNN