A major earthquake rattled the north-eastern coast of Japan late Monday night, forcing tens of thousands to leave their homes and prompting urgent government action as authorities scrambled to evaluate the situation.
The 7.6 magnitude quake struck at 23:15 local time, about 80 kilometers from Aomori, at a depth of 50 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Initial reports led to the issuance of tsunami warnings, which were later lifted, though waves of up to 70 centimeters were observed along parts of the coastline. Local television stations broadcast urgent alerts such as “Tsunami! Run!” to ensure residents were aware and could move to safer locations.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that seven people had sustained injuries and advised communities to maintain heightened caution for the coming week. “Reconfirm your daily earthquake preparedness, such as ensuring that you secure furniture, and prepare to evacuate immediately if you feel shaking,” she told the nation.
Authorities instructed roughly 90,000 people to evacuate from vulnerable areas, Reuters reported. In response, the government established a dedicated office at the prime minister’s crisis management centre, while Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized that emergency teams were actively assessing damage and coordinating rescue operations.
“We are making every effort to assess the damage and implement emergency disaster response measures, including rescue and relief operations,” he said.
Public transport faced interruptions, with several bullet train services suspended along the north-eastern rail lines to allow safety inspections.
Meanwhile, energy operators reported no irregularities at the Higashidori and Onagawa nuclear plants, and officials told the International Atomic Energy Agency that the decommissioned Fukushima plant remained secure.
Japan, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is highly susceptible to earthquakes, with frequent tremors occurring across the country. The 2011 magnitude 9.0 quake off the eastern coast of Japan, which triggered a deadly tsunami and destroyed entire towns, remains a stark reminder of the nation’s vulnerability to seismic disasters.
