7.5-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan; Tsunami Alert Triggered
A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 struck off the Sanriku coast of northern Japan. It occurred at about 4:53 p.m. local time (0753 GMT) and originated roughly 10 kilometers below the sea surface.
Tsunami observations and warnings
The Japan Meteorological Agency detected an 80-centimeter wave at Kuji port in Iwate. Another port in the prefecture recorded a 40-centimeter wave.
The agency issued tsunami alerts for Iwate, Aomori and southeastern Hokkaido. Milder advisories covered the Miyagi and Fukushima coasts.
Public safety advice and potential impacts
Officials urged residents to avoid coastlines and rivers and to move to higher ground immediately. They warned that aftershocks could continue for about a week.
The agency said waves as high as three meters could strike some areas. Local authorities cautioned people to follow evacuation guidance.
Local response and affected areas
Iwate prefecture issued non-binding evacuation advisories for residents in 11 towns. Emergency services remained on alert across the region.
- Kuji port: 80 cm wave
- Other Iwate port: 40 cm wave
- Stronger alerts: Iwate, Aomori, southeastern Hokkaido
- Milder advisories: Miyagi, Fukushima
Recent and historical context
A separate magnitude-7.5 quake in December injured dozens. The area remains seismically active.
Fifteen years ago, the March 11, 2011 magnitude-9.0 quake and tsunami devastated northern Japan. That catastrophe killed more than 22,000 people and forced nearly half a million from their homes.
Some 160,000 residents fled Fukushima after radiation spread from the Daiichi nuclear plant. About 26,000 of them have not returned to their hometowns.
The 7.5-Magnitude tremor prompted immediate tsunami alert messaging across coastal prefectures. Filmogaz.com continues to monitor developments and will update readers as new information becomes available.
