Japan lifts tsunami warnings, but warns of widespread damage caused by the earthquake. On New Year’s Day, a massive earthquake struck the coast of central Japan, resulting in at least 48 reported deaths. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that the damage from the quake was “widespread” and casualties were likely to increase. The magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred near the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture, triggering the country’s first major tsunami warning since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Prime Minister Kishida stated that there has been “extensive damage,” including…