A powerful earthquake struck Japan, shaking the country’s northeastern coastal region and prompting urgent tsunami warnings. The quake, measured at magnitude 7.4 on the Richter scale, triggered immediate alerts for coastal areas shortly after impact.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible tsunami waves reaching up to three meters in parts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures. Other coastal regions in northeastern Japan were also cautioned about potential waves of up to one meter.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) also issued a warning following the quake, as international monitoring agencies tracked the event closely. Japanese authorities later revised the earthquake’s magnitude to 7.5, though the reason for the adjustment has not been clarified.
Strong tremors were felt across a wide area, significantly affecting daily life. Reporters in Tokyo described buildings swaying for several minutes, causing panic among residents.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for swift emergency response measures, stating that rescue and relief operations have been mobilized in affected areas. She urged residents in coastal zones to immediately move to higher ground or designated safe shelters.
In the aftermath, Japan’s transportation network also faced disruptions. Local broadcaster NHK reported that bullet train services between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori were partially suspended due to power outages linked to the earthquake.