A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 in magnitude has struck off the northeastern coast of Japan, prompting a tsunami warning of up to three metres, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and the US Geological Survey.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a three-metre tsunami warning for Iwate prefecture, as well as parts of Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture. Advisory alerts were also released across other areas of northeastern Japan, with waves of up to one metre anticipated.
According to the US Tsunami Warning System, the earthquake occurred off the east coast of Honshu with a magnitude of 7.4, and the tsunami threat was issued at 8:52 UTC (3:52 pm Bangkok time).
Japan’s national agency later revised the magnitude to 7.5, though the reason for the discrepancy has not been clarified.
A producer on the ground in Tokyo reported that buildings shook for approximately seven minutes following the quake.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged residents in affected regions to evacuate without delay, confirming that an emergency task force has been established to coordinate response efforts.
“Residents in areas where tsunami warnings have been issued should immediately evacuate to higher ground or safer locations such as evacuation buildings,” Takaichi told reporters on Monday, according to the national broadcaster NHK.
Authorities are doing their “utmost to assess the damage, implement emergency disaster response measures such as search and rescue operations, and provide timely and accurate information to the public,” Takaichi said.
“At this time, we are still confirming the extent of human and material damage, but we will receive detailed reports shortly and proceed with disaster response efforts.”
The operator of the bullet train service between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori Station has suspended operations due to a power outage triggered by the earthquake, NHK reported.
