TOKYO, JAPAN—A powerful Magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan late Monday night, immediately triggering tsunami warnings and prompting mass evacuation orders across several prefectures. The tremor, strong enough to make it impossible to stand in some areas, brought back terrifying memories of the 2011 “triple disaster” that devastated the Tohoku region.
The massive quake, which hit at approximately 11:15 p.m. local time (14:15 GMT), was centered about 80 kilometers (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported.
Tsunami Warning and Evacuation Orders
The JMA immediately issued a tsunami warning for the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, cautioning that waves could reach heights of up to three meters (10 feet) in some coastal areas.
- Waves Observed: Tsunami waves were confirmed to have reached the coast shortly after the quake. A 70-centimeter (27-inch) wave was recorded at Kuji port in Iwate Prefecture, just south of Aomori, while smaller waves were observed at Mutsu Ogawara and Urakawa ports.
- Mass Evacuation: Authorities swiftly ordered an estimated 90,000 residents across the affected regions to immediately seek shelter on higher ground. Public broadcaster NHK broadcast continuous, urgent warnings for residents to evacuate and remain vigilant.
- Seismic Intensity: On Japan’s 1-7 seismic intensity scale (Shindo), the tremor registered as an “upper 6” in parts of Aomori, an intensity level where it is impossible to keep standing, and heavy furniture is likely to collapse.
In the Aomori town of Hachinohe, shattered glass was reported across roads, and several people were injured and taken to local hospitals, though all were conscious, according to local media. A man in the town of Tohoku was also slightly hurt when his car fell into a hole created by the ground heaving.
Nuclear Plants and Infrastructure
Japanese authorities immediately set up an emergency task force and began rigorous safety checks across all critical infrastructure, particularly the nuclear power facilities in the region.
- No Immediate Irregularities: Nuclear power operators, including Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power, reported no immediate irregularities at the Higashidori and Onagawa nuclear power plants in the affected area, a critical reassurance given the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
- Transport Disrupted: East Japan Railway suspended some train services, including parts of the Shinkansen (bullet train) line, as a precaution. Power outages were also reported in parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in a brief comment to reporters, emphasized the government’s focus: “We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can to urgently assess the extent of damage.”
The event serves as a stark reminder of Japan’s location on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire.” As aftershocks continue to rattle the coast, authorities are urging residents to remain at evacuation centers until all tsunami advisories are formally lifted, stressing that subsequent waves can often be larger and more destructive than the first.