TOKYO
At least 30 people were injured after a strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Japan late Monday night, sending tsunami waves up to 70 centimetres high along parts of the Pacific coast. Officials said the quake hit at 11:15 p.m. near Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 54 kilometres, shaking large areas and prompting urgent warnings.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency cautioned that another quake of equal or stronger magnitude could hit the same region in the coming days. The agency noted that the quake occurred along the trench near Hokkaido and northeastern Japan, an area known for powerful seismic activity as the Pacific Plate moves under the main island of Honshu. The initial estimate of 7.6 magnitude was later revised to 7.5, and authorities briefly warned of possible tsunami waves up to 3 metres.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to stay alert and closely follow updates from local officials throughout the week. She advised people to secure furniture and prepare for the possibility of more strong shaking. The highest tsunami wave recorded was 70 centimetres in Iwate Prefecture, and the warning was reduced to an advisory about three and a half hours later before being fully lifted at 6:20 a.m. Tuesday. The quake registered an upper 6 on Japan’s 7-level seismic intensity scale in parts of Aomori, a level where it becomes extremely difficult to stand or move without crawling. In response, officials issued a special alert known as the “Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory.” Experts say there is a one-in-100 chance of a quake of magnitude 8 or higher within the next week, though no evacuation orders have been issued.