A strong earthquake off Japan’s northern coast on Monday prompted tsunami warnings and emergency measures across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the temblor was preliminarily measured at magnitude 7.5 and struck off the Sanriku coast at about 4:53 p.m. local time (2:53 a.m. Eastern), roughly 6 miles (about 10 kilometers) below the sea surface.
The JMA reported initial tsunami waves of around three feet struck a port in Kuji, northern Iwate Prefecture, and cautioned that larger waves could follow. Officials urged people to stay in safe, elevated locations until warnings are lifted, emphasizing that tsunamis can arrive repeatedly. Forecasts cited by NHK anticipated waves as high as 10 feet in some areas, and evacuation advisories were issued for communities along the eastern coasts of Iwate on Honshu and parts of Hokkaido.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the government had established an emergency task force. Television alerts and public advisories told residents in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido to move immediately to higher ground or other safe, elevated sites. NHK video showed vessels leaving a Hokkaido port ahead of the waves, and Kyodo News said some high-speed train services in Aomori were suspended.
The quake revived memories of the devastating March 11, 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 22,000 people, displaced nearly half a million, and caused major damage at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Japanese outlets initially reported that at least two nuclear plants inside the current tsunami-warning zone were offline and had not been affected by Monday’s quake; authorities noted the 2011 disaster’s most serious damage came from the tsunami rather than the initial shaking.
Officials additionally warned residents to remain vigilant for aftershocks and potential landslides as response teams assess damage and continue monitoring the situation.