Officials urge preparedness as powerful offshore earthquake prompts evacuations and raises short-term risk concerns along northern coast.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan on Monday, prompting tsunami alerts, evacuation advisories and a government-issued warning about a potential, though unlikely, larger seismic event in the coming days.
The quake occurred at approximately 4:53 p.m. local time off the Sanriku coast near the Chishima Trench at a shallow depth of about six miles, according to Japanese authorities. The tremor triggered immediate tsunami warnings, sending residents in coastal areas to higher ground.
Within an hour of the earthquake, a tsunami measuring about 2.6 feet was recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture, while another location registered waves of approximately 1.3 feet. Authorities initially warned that waves could reach up to 10 feet in some areas, though the U.S.-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later stated that the broader tsunami threat had passed.
Japan’s Cabinet Office and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a follow-up advisory indicating a roughly 1% chance of a larger “megaquake” occurring along the northern coast within the next week. Officials emphasized that the advisory is not a prediction but a precautionary measure based on seismic activity patterns.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant, prepare emergency supplies and stay ready to evacuate if conditions change, while continuing daily activities. Authorities also warned that aftershocks could continue for about a week following the initial quake.
Evacuation advisories were issued for more than 128,000 residents across Iwate and three additional northern prefectures. Broadcast footage showed people relocating to parks and elevated areas, with some choosing to remain there until alerts are lifted.
Emergency response agencies reported no immediate injuries or significant structural damage. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said inspections were ongoing, including checks of infrastructure and utilities. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that nuclear facilities in the affected region were operating normally, with no abnormalities detected.
The advisory marks the second such warning in recent months. A similar notice issued after a major earthquake in December did not result in a subsequent large-scale event.
The latest quake occurred in a region with a history of significant seismic activity. It comes 15 years after the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, which measured magnitude 9.0 and caused more than 22,000 deaths. That disaster also triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis, leading to widespread evacuations.
In the years since, approximately 160,000 people were displaced from Fukushima due to radiation concerns, with tens of thousands never returning to their homes.
Authorities continue to monitor seismic conditions closely as recovery and safety measures remain in place following Monday’s earthquake.
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