A strong undersea earthquake measuring 7.4 in magnitude rattled northern Japan on Monday evening, triggering urgent tsunami warnings across coastal areas and prompting swift evacuations.
The tremor struck at 4:53 pm local time in the Pacific Ocean off Iwate Prefecture, at a relatively shallow depth.
Shaking from the event was felt hundreds of kilometers away, including in the capital Tokyo, where buildings swayed noticeably.
Authorities from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) quickly issued a tsunami warning for waves reaching up to three metres (about 10 feet) in parts of Iwate, neighboring Aomori Prefecture, and sections of Hokkaido.
Early reports confirmed that smaller tsunami waves had already begun arriving along some shorelines, with an 80-centimetre wave observed at Kuji Port in Iwate and a 40-centimetre wave at Miyako Port.
Officials stressed that larger waves could follow shortly and that the threat would involve repeated surges.
Residents in vulnerable zones received clear instructions to act without delay.
The JMA urged people in coastal and riverside areas to head immediately to higher ground or designated evacuation buildings, warning against returning to low-lying spots until the all-clear is given.
“Evacuate immediately… Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly,” the agency emphasized in its alerts.
Transportation networks felt the impact as well.
Bullet train services between Tokyo and Aomori were suspended following the quake, and local train operations in affected regions were also halted as a precaution.
Tokyo Electric Power Company reported it was inspecting its facilities, including nuclear plants in Fukushima, with no immediate abnormalities detected so far.
In response to the developing situation, the prime minister’s office established a crisis management team to coordinate emergency efforts and monitor developments closely.
Japan sits on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where multiple tectonic plates converge, making it one of the most seismically active countries on Earth.
The nation experiences roughly 1,500 earthquakes each year, representing nearly 18 percent of the world’s total seismic activity.
While most are minor, the potential for significant damage depends on location, depth, and other factors—as tragically demonstrated by the 2011 magnitude-9.0 quake and tsunami that claimed or left missing around 18,500 lives and triggered the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
As of now, no major injuries or widespread damage have been widely reported, but officials continue to monitor the situation amid ongoing tsunami advisories.
Residents and authorities alike are remaining vigilant in the face of this latest reminder of Japan’s geological vulnerabilities.
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