On New Year's Day, a series of powerful earthquakes struck the Sea of Japan, prompting a tsunami warning from the Japan Meterological Agency (JMA). The quakes caused minor damage in the region, but no injuries or deaths have been reported. The JMA warned that the tsunami waves could reach as high as 5 meters (16.5 feet) and urged people on the entire West Coast to escape to the highest place as soon as possible. They have also urged people to follow the instructions of local authorities and to stay away from the coast until the tsunami warning is lifted.