7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan, Tsunami warning issued

Strong tremor felt across regions

The earthquake occurred at 4:53 pm (0753 GMT) in the Pacific Ocean off northern Iwate Prefecture. The tremor was strong enough to shake large buildings as far away as Tokyo, located hundreds of kilometres from the epicentre.

Tsunami threat and urgent evacuation calls

The JMA warned that the earliest tsunami waves could reach the northern coastline immediately, urging residents to evacuate coastal and riverside areas without delay.

“Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building,” the agency said, cautioning that tsunami-related damage was expected.

It further warned that waves could strike repeatedly, advising residents not to leave safe areas until the alert is officially lifted.

Initial situation and government response

Footage broadcast by NHK showed no immediate visible damage at several ports in Iwate.

The prime minister’s office confirmed the establishment of a crisis management team to handle the situation.

Sanae Takaichi urged residents in affected areas to move to higher ground, stating that authorities were working to assess any potential casualties or property damage.

Japan’s seismic vulnerability

Japan is among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, located atop four major tectonic plates along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

The country, with a population of around 125 million, experiences approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually, accounting for nearly 18 percent of global seismic activity.

While most quakes are minor, their impact varies depending on location and depth.

Memories of past disasters

Japan continues to carry the legacy of the devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake in 2011, which triggered a tsunami that killed around 18,500 people and caused a nuclear disaster at Fukushima.

Concerns over future megaquakes

In 2024, the JMA issued its first special advisory warning of a potential “megaquake” along the Nankai Trough, an 800-kilometre undersea trench where the Philippine Sea plate is gradually subducting beneath Japan’s continental plate.

Authorities have warned that a major earthquake in this zone could result in up to 298,000 deaths and cause damages reaching $2 trillion.

Although the 2024 advisory was lifted after a week, it triggered panic buying of essential goods such as rice and led to widespread travel cancellations.

A second week-long “megaquake” advisory was issued in December 2025 following a 7.5-magnitude earthquake off Japan’s northern coast.

Recent seismic activity

The December 8, 2025 earthquake generated tsunami waves of up to 70 centimetres (28 inches) and injured more than 40 people, though no significant damage was reported.