An earthquake measuring 8.6 on the Richter scale jolted off the east coast of Japan's main Honshu island at 1:46 p.m. Beijing Time Friday, according to the China Earthquake Network Center.

The epicenter, with a depth of 20 km, was monitored at 38.1 degrees north latitude and 142.6 degrees east longitude, the center said in a statement.

Residents in high-rise buildings in Beijing and Tianjin also felt the temblor.

The center monitored another great earthquake measuring 7.3 in magnitude in the same region at 2:25 p.m. Friday. The epicenter, with a depth of 30 km, was monitored at 38.1 degrees north latitude and 144.5 degrees east longitude.

The meteorological agency of Japan has issued a tsunami warning in wide areas of the eastern coast of the country.

The region was also hit by several other strong earthquakes measuring 6 or above on the Richter scale since Wednesday morning, according to the center.