A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s northeastern coast late Monday night, injuring at least 30 people and forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 residents before tsunami alerts were eventually lifted.
The quake hit at around 11:15 p.m. local time, roughly 44 miles off the northeast coast of Japan, at a depth of about 33 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Strong tremors were felt as far away as Tokyo, more than 400 miles from the epicenter, with shaking lasting over 30 seconds.
In the immediate aftermath, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas along the Pacific seaboard of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures.
Authorities later reported that tsunami waves were smaller than initially feared, with the highest reaching about 2.3 feet at Kuji port in Iwate and around 1.3 feet in parts of Aomori and Hokkaido.
After several hours, the JMA downgraded the warning to a tsunami advisory, which was lifted by Tuesday morning.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said evacuation orders were issued to more than 114,000 people in coastal and high-risk areas.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that at least 30 people were injured and cautioned that aftershocks, possibly of similar or even greater strength, could still occur.
The JMA warned of a small chance, estimated at 1%, of a major earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or higher occurring within the week, urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared.
Damage reports emerged from Aomori prefecture, including injuries, fires, power outages, and disruptions to transportation.
High-speed train services between Fukushima and Aomori were suspended, and some sections of expressways were temporarily closed. Footage showed damaged buildings and roads in the city of Mutsu.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said there were no immediate abnormalities reported at the Higashidōri and Onagawa nuclear power plants, adding that other nuclear facilities were undergoing safety checks.
Elected in October, Prime Minister Takaichi said the government is coordinating closely with local authorities to assess the damage and implement emergency response measures, stressing that protecting human life remains the top priority.
Japan is highly prone to seismic activity as it sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The country’s deadliest recent disaster was the 2011 magnitude-9.1 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which left over 22,000 people dead or missing and triggered the Fukushima nuclear crisis.