A POWERFUL magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings and urgent evacuation orders as authorities warned of waves reaching up to three metres along parts of the Pacific coastline.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake’s epicentre was located in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres. Officials warned that the largest tsunami waves were expected to reach the prefectures of Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido.
Reuters cited Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi saying the government had immediately established an emergency task force and urged residents in affected coastal regions to move to higher ground.
Speaking to reporters, she called on the public to act swiftly as precautionary tsunami alerts were issued across northern Japan.
Japanese broadcaster NHK showed vessels departing Hachinohe port in Hokkaido as a precaution, while an emergency alert flashed across screens reading “Tsunami! Evacuate!” amid widespread warnings.
Transport networks were also disrupted, with Kyodo News reporting that bullet train services in Aomori at the northern end of Honshu island were suspended following the tremors.
The quake was recorded as “upper 5” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, strong enough to make it difficult for people to stand and capable of causing structural damage, including the collapse of poorly reinforced walls.
Japan sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, one of the world’s most seismically active zones, and experiences frequent earthquakes due to its location near major tectonic boundaries.
Authorities noted that although there are currently no operational nuclear power plants in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, several shut-down facilities remain in the area.
Tohoku Electric Power Co said it was assessing potential impacts on the Onagawa nuclear plant following the quake and tsunami warnings.
Emergency monitoring and evacuation efforts continued as authorities urged vigilance against aftershocks and further tsunami activity along the northern coastline. - April 20, 2026
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