 A tsunami warning system was not in operation at the time of the shock, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Hawaii) and the Japan Meteorological Agency posted a tsunami watch, based on the occurrence of a M7.2 earthquake.The bulletin came within 30 minutes of the shock, but there was no means to transmit the warning to the people on the coast that needed to know.Many of those who felt the earthquake responded by moving away from the shore, but not with any urgency.