Powerful 7.6 Quake Rattles Northern Japan, Triggers Tsunami Alerts and Evacuations

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), tsunami waves up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) could impact parts of Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido, with initial waves of around 40 centimeters (16 inches) already recorded in coastal areas.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake hit around 11:15 p.m. local time, with an epicenter located approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) offshore and at a depth of 33 miles. Residents across Tokyo reported strong, prolonged shaking lasting more than 30 seconds.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara urged communities in high risk zones to evacuate immediately to elevated terrain or designated shelters. He added that no irregularities were detected at the Higashidōri or Onagawa nuclear power plants, though safety inspections were ongoing at other facilities.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October, pledged close coordination with local governments as emergency teams assess potential damage. “We are acting under the principle of prioritizing human life above all else,” she said.

Japan, situated along the seismically active Ring of Fire, routinely experiences strong earthquakes. The nation’s disaster readiness remains shaped by memories of the catastrophic 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, one of the strongest ever recorded.

This is a developing story. More updates to follow.