A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for waves of up to three metres.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred at 4:53 p.m. local time in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. The tremor was strong enough to shake buildings in Tokyo, located hundreds of kilometres away.
The agency warned that the earliest tsunami waves could reach the northern coastline almost immediately, urging residents in affected areas to evacuate 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, adding that waves could strike repeatedly and people should remain in safe locations until the warning is lifted.
Initial footage from national broadcaster NHK showed no immediate visible damage at several ports in Iwate, though authorities continued to assess the situation.
The Japanese government activated a crisis management team following the quake. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on residents in affected areas to move to higher ground while officials worked to determine whether there had been casualties or property damage.
Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, lying along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where multiple tectonic plates meet. The country experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually, accounting for roughly 18 percent of global seismic activity.
The nation still bears the scars of the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed about 18,500 people and triggered a nuclear crisis at Fukushima.
Authorities have also warned of the potential for a major quake along the Nankai Trough, an 800-kilometre seismic zone capable of generating catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis. Government estimates suggest such an event could result in as many as 298,000 deaths and cause economic losses of up to $2 trillion.
In recent years, the meteorological agency has issued multiple advisories about the risk of a “megaquake” in the region, including alerts in 2024 and December 2025 following significant tremors.
