¡¤A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 hit central Japan coast area.
¡¤At least one person was killed and over 100 others were injured.

¡¤A liaison office was set up at the prime minister's official residence.

A damaged building is seen in this video grab in Ishikawa prefecture in Japan March 25, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

     TOKYO, March 25 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and over 100 others were injured in a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that jolted Sea of Japan coast area of central Japan's Hokuriku region on Sunday morning.

     Japan Meteorological Agency has put magnitude of the quake at 7.1 earlier.

     The Agency observed waves of up to 20 centimeters in Ishikawa Prefecture and lifted its tsunami warning for the area at 11:30 a.m. local time (0230 GMT).

     A 52-year-old woman in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, died from being buried under a stone lantern that collapsed in her home's garden, Kyodo News reported, quoting local police.

     The quake also caused landslides in Ishikawa Prefecture and injuries across a wider area, according to Kyodo. The number of people injured in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures has exceeded 100.

     More than 20 buildings were completely destroyed in Wajima city, and hundreds of households in Ishikawa Prefecture suffered blackouts, local officials were quoted as saying.

     West Japan Railway Co. said it has suspended all train services in quake-hit areas.

     A liaison office was set up at the prime minister's official residence to deal with the aftermath of the quake. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said rescue efforts are being prepared.

     The National Police Agency said it was sending police officers from nearby prefectures to help the disaster relief efforts.

     The epicenter of the quake was some 40 kilometers west-southwest of Wajima in the sea off Noto Peninsula and about 50 kilometers underground.