TOKYO — A magnitude(震级) 8.9 earthquake slammed Japan's northeastern coast Friday, unleashing(释放) a 13-foot tsunami(海啸) that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris(碎片，残骸) miles inland. Fires triggered by the quake burned out of control up and down the coast.
At least five people were killed and there were reports of several injuries in Tokyo, hundreds of miles away, where buildings shook violently through the main quake and the wave of massive aftershocks(余震) that followed.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the quake caused "major damage" in northeastern Japan, but that nuclear power facilities in the area were not damaged and there was no radiation leakage.
Officials were still trying to assess(估计，评定) the extent of destruction. The government's top spokesman, Yukio Edano, said that the country was sending troops to the quake-hit area to join relief efforts.
A tsunami warning was also issued for Hawaii and the coasts of Oregon, California, Washington and parts of Alaska.