Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters that he has instructed relevant officials to gather information on the circumstances in the affected area and to prepare aid if necessary.

A tsunami struck the coasts of Hokkaido and the Sanriku region in May 1960 after an earthquake in Chile and about 140 people were killed or went missing.

The Philippine government on Saturday issued the lowest level of tsunami alert after the quake.

While no evacuation order was in effect, communities along the Eastern coast of the Philippines were advised to prepare for possible evacuation, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

A tsunami warning was in effect for New Zealand late Saturday following the massive quake in South America, said New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management.

If a tsunami has been generated, the first wave could arrive in New Zealand in the areas around Chatham Island (Waitangi Side) at approximately 07:05 a.m. New Zealand local time Sunday, the ministry said.

The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center late Saturday also issued tsunami warnings for New South Wales state, Queensland state, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.

The center said there is a "potential tsunami threat" and the possibility of dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding in the warned areas for several hours from Sunday morning.

Sea level observations have confirmed a tsunami has been generated, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.