A strong earthquake measuring 7.6 magnitude on the Richter scale struck off Japan’s northeastern coast late Monday, prompting urgent evacuation orders and a tsunami warning across several coastal prefectures.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that tsunami waves of up to 3 metres could hit parts of Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido. Authorities confirmed that waves as high as 40 centimetres had already been recorded in Aomori and Hokkaido.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at about 11:15 p.m. local time, roughly 70 kilometres offshore at a depth of 33 kilometres. Strong tremors were also felt in Tokyo, with residents reporting shaking that lasted over 30 seconds.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, urged residents in the affected areas to immediately move to higher ground or designated evacuation centres. He added that there were no indications of abnormalities at the Higashidōri and Onagawa nuclear power plants, though checks were ongoing at other facilities.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who assumed office in October, assured that her government was working closely with local authorities to assess the impact and coordinate emergency response efforts. She stressed that all actions would prioritise the safety and lives of citizens.
Japan, located along the seismically active Ring of Fire, experiences frequent earthquakes. The country still bears the scars of the devastating 2011 Tohoku quake, a 9.1-magnitude disaster that triggered a massive tsunami and nuclear crisis.
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