The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami alert Sunday for its Pacific coast after a powerful earthquake struck Chile.

Major tsunami alert is issued for the pacific coast of Aomori prefecture, coast of Miyagi and Iwate prefectures in northeast Japan, saying "very high tsunami" with waves up to 3 meters are expected in the areas, and "everyone near the coast must evacuate to higher ground".

Tsunami warnings are also issued for other areas along Japan's Pacific coastline.

The tsunami is expected to hit Hokkaido and Izu-Ogasawara islands around 1 p.m. followed by other areas, it said on the public broadcaster NHK.