Several port towns including Otsuchi and Kamaishi - both hard-hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 - earlier issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents, according to public broadcaster NHK. Bullet train services ​were halted and some motorways were closed due to the tremors.

After long refraining from possessing weapons that could hit enemy territory, Japan deployed its first long-range “counter-strike” missiles last month. On April 21st Takaichi Sanae, Japan’s hawkish new prime minister,