HONOLULU (CNN) -- A tsunami warning was issued Saturday for Japan and a broad area surrounding the Pacific Ocean after a major undersea earthquake east of the Kuril Islands, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Tsunami waves between one and two meters were possible at about 2 p.m. local time near Hokaido, Japan and other areas of Japan's northern island, according to another warning from the Japan Meteorology Agency.

The earthquake was measured at a massive 8.4 magnitude at 11:23 p.m. ET (0423 GMT), the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center bulletin said.

"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the bulletin said.