Tsunami warning issued after Japan quake lifted

TOKYO -- School children were evacuated to higher ground on some islands and buildings swayed in Taipei after a strong earthquake struck Monday in seas east of Taiwan and south of Okinawa.

Japan's Meteorological Agency issued a warning for a tsunami of up to 1 meter (3 feet), but it was cancelled just over an hour later. The public broadcaster NHK said there were no initial reports of damage.

The epicenter of the magnitude 6.8 quake was at a shallow point near the Yonaguni islands, the agency said. It said no tsunami was detected.

Television footage of the area showed calm seas, but as a precaution school children in some low-lying areas of islands in the area were evacuated to safer locations.