A strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan on Monday, shaking buildings as far away as Tokyo and triggering tsunami warnings for waves of up to three metres.
The quake occurred in Pacific waters off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Officials later revised the magnitude upward from an initial estimate of 7.4.
An 80-centimetre tsunami wave was recorded at the port of Kuji in Iwate, prompting urgent evacuation orders for coastal and riverside communities.
Authorities warned residents to move immediately to higher ground or designated evacuation buildings, stressing that multiple tsunami waves were expected.
“Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted,” the agency cautioned, adding that continued waves could cause further damage.
Footage from national broadcaster NHK showed no immediate visible destruction at several ports in the affected region, though assessments were ongoing.
A JMA official warned that aftershocks are likely over the coming days, particularly within the next 48 to 72 hours, and could bring additional strong shaking.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a crisis management team had been established to assess the situation. She urged residents in affected areas to evacuate without delay and move to safe locations.
Authorities are continuing to monitor for casualties and structural damage as emergency response efforts get underway.