A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake jolted northern Japan late Monday night, injuring at least 10 people, though early reports indicated no major structural damage. The quake hit at 11:15 pm (1415 GMT) off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, triggering widespread alarms and temporary tsunami warnings.
🌊 Tsunami Alerts Issued, Later Lifted
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially warned of tsunami waves up to 3 metres, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate coastal areas.
However, the largest waves recorded were around 70 centimetres, and the warning was lifted after several hours.
🚨 Injuries & Damage Reports
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed:
- 10 injuries, including one person seriously hurt in Hokkaido
- Reports of shattered glass, fallen debris, and multiple small fires
- Approximately 2,700 homes in Aomori experienced power outages
- Shinkansen bullet trains were halted while engineers inspected tracks
An AFP reporter in Hokkaido described intense shaking lasting about 30 seconds, with emergency smartphone alerts ringing across neighborhoods.
🛑 Nuclear Plants Safe
Tohoku Electric Power reported no abnormalities at:
- Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant (Aomori)
- Onagawa Nuclear Facility (Miyagi)
Safety checks continued into the night.
⚠️ Risk of Aftershocks Remains High
The JMA warned that the quake has increased the likelihood of another strong or larger tremor in the coming days.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to stay alert:
“Please follow information from the JMA and local authorities for about a week. Ensure furniture is secured and be prepared to evacuate when you feel shaking.”
🔍 Japan’s Earthquake Background
Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions.
Key facts:
- Around 1,500 earthquakes are recorded annually
- Many are minor, but Japan has experienced devastating quakes
- The 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake caused a massive tsunami, killing 18,500 people and triggering the Fukushima nuclear disaster
In March 2025, a government estimate warned that a future Nankai Trough megaquake could cause up to 298,000 deaths and $2 trillion in damage.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
