Authorities in Japan lifted all tsunami warnings on Tuesday following a strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck off the northeastern coast late on Monday, injuring at least 30 people and forcing around 90,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
The earthquake hit at 11:15 p.m. local time (1415 GMT), with the epicentre located 80 kilometres (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 54 kilometres. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially warned that tsunami waves up to 3 metres (10 feet) could reach coastal areas.
Tsunami waves measuring between 20 and 70 centimetres (7 to 27 inches) were observed at multiple ports, including in Aomori, Urakawa and surrounding northeastern coastal regions.
As a precaution, authorities issued evacuation orders affecting roughly 90,000 residents, urging people to move to higher ground. By early Tuesday, JMA downgraded the tsunami warnings to advisories before lifting all advisories entirely. Officials confirmed there were no reports of major structural damage, though localised disruption occurred.
Damage and casualties
On Japan’s 1 to 7 seismic intensity scale, the tremor registered as an upper 6 in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture – a level strong enough to make standing or walking nearly impossible. CCTV footage shared by local broadcasters showed violent shaking in parked vehicles and residential interiors.
In Hachinohe, scattered broken glass was reported on roadways, and emergency services responded to several calls.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at least 30 people had been injured, with all reported to be conscious. One fire was also confirmed following the quake.
East Japan Railway suspended some services in the affected region and warned of delays across northern Japan. While thousands of households initially lost electricity, utilities later said that power had been restored to the vast majority of customers by Tuesday morning. Operators of nuclear facilities in the region – Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power – reported no irregularities.
Ongoing vigilance and aftershocks
Despite the lifting of tsunami alerts, authorities stressed that seismic risk remains high. The JMA issued an advisory covering a wide area from Hokkaido down to Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, urging residents to remain alert for the possibility of a strong aftershock.
"There is a possibility that further powerful and stronger earthquakes could occur over the next several days," a JMA official said at a briefing.
Japan regularly experiences seismic activity, but after significant earthquakes, the government issues a one-week “megaquake” advisory – a measure introduced after the 2011 disaster, when a magnitude-7-level quake struck two days before the catastrophic 9.0-magnitude event.
Economic and infrastructure impact
The earthquake briefly rattled financial markets. The yen weakened sharply following early reports of the tremor, with the dollar hitting a session high of around 155.81 yen before later stabilising. The euro also reached a session high.
East Japan Railway and other operators said further service adjustments were possible as inspections continued. Infrastructure checks were ongoing across Aomori and neighbouring prefectures.
A long-standing seismic risk
Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, sitting on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” and accounts for about 20% of global earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater.
The northeastern region was devastated on 11 March 2011 when a 9.0-magnitude offshore quake triggered a massive tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and set off explosions and meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Since then, authorities have strengthened coastal defences, expanded early-warning systems and reinforced disaster-response mechanisms – all of which were activated within minutes of Monday’s tremor.
Closing remarks
As inspection teams continue assessing damage, officials urge residents to monitor updates from the JMA and local authorities. While tsunami warnings have now been lifted, the risk of aftershocks remains high, and emergency teams across the region are maintaining a heightened state of readiness.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Senior officials from Azerbaijan and Armenia held a working meeting in Dilijan, Armenia, on 14 June to discuss issues related to the peace agenda betw...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and D...
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celeb...
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconfer...
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterrence talks between the U.S. and South Korea.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
A city north of Tokyo has suspended classes at all 94 of its primary and middle schools after its first-ever reported bear sighting, amid growing concern over increasing encounters between bears and people across Japan.
Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought heavy rain, power cuts and transport disruption across Japan on Wednesday (3 June) as it tracked towards the greater Tokyo region.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celebrations across New York City.
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is a rarity for Beijing to engage directly with the group.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Romania's centrist President Nicușor Dan on Sunday designated Adrian Veștea, a member of the liberal party, as prime minister, after independent candidate Eugen Tomac withdrew.
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterrence talks between the U.S. and South Korea.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment