TOKYO (FN), A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off northern Japan’s coast Monday afternoon, shaking buildings across the country and prompting tsunami warnings for waves up to 3 meters (10 feet). Authorities urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately, as initial waves of about 80 centimeters were already observed in Iwate Prefecture.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit at 4:53 p.m. local time off the Sanriku coast, with a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers. Strong tremors were felt as far south as Tokyo, though no immediate reports of major damage were confirmed. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of a crisis management team to coordinate rescue and relief efforts, while NHK broadcast emergency alerts instructing people to move to higher ground.
Japan, located on the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” has a long history of devastating earthquakes. The most catastrophic in recent memory was the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, a magnitude 9.0 event that killed nearly 20,000 people and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster. More recently, in 2018, a magnitude 6.7 quake struck Hokkaido, killing more than 40 people, while in 2024, a series of tremors rattled Ishikawa Prefecture, causing widespread damage.
Experts warn that even smaller tsunami waves can be deadly, and authorities emphasized the importance of swift evacuation. Energy and transport infrastructure in northern Honshu are being monitored for disruptions, with ports and rail services temporarily suspended.
The incident has reignited discussions about disaster preparedness in Japan, where strict building codes and early warning systems have saved countless lives but where the risk of large-scale catastrophe remains ever-present.
