Japan tsunami alert issued following powerful earthquake off northern coast – follow latest | Japan
Tsunami alert issued after strong earthquake in northern Japan
A strong earthquake occurred off the northern coast of Japan and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami alert in the region.
The 7.4 preliminary magnitude earthquake struck around 16:53 (0753 GMT) off the coast of Sanriku in northern Japan, about 10 km (6 miles) below the sea surface, the agency said.
Japan’s NHK public television said a tsunami of up to 3 meters (10 feet) could soon hit the region.
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The earthquake measured “upper 5” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale; this was strong enough to make it difficult for people to move and to cause unreinforced concrete block walls to collapse. JMA said the epicenter of the tremor was in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 10 kilometers.
According to the JMA, a three-metre tsunami could damage low-lying areas by submerging buildings and sweeping away anyone exposed to the current.
Situated in the ‘Ring of Fire’ of volcanoes and oceanic trenches that partially surround the Pacific Basin, Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, with tremors occurring at least every five minutes.
This earthquake is responsible for about 20% of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater, such as the disaster that caused a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima power plant in 2011.
Australian authorities in Japan are urgently monitoring a tsunami warning off the northeast coast of the island of Honshu.
The Australian government said:
We are ready to provide consular assistance.
Australians requiring urgent consular assistance should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Center on 1300 555 135 or +61 2 6261 3305 (if calling from overseas).
Here are some photos from Japan after the severe earthquake this morning:
Justin Mc Curry
Japan’s meteorological agency said earthquakes of “similar scale” could last up to a week, according to Kyodo news agency.
As darkness fell, no damage or injuries were reported, amid warnings that further tsunamis were observed offshore.
NHK said bullet train services between Tokyo and Aomori in the northeast were suspended, as well as local trains in the affected area.
News anchors reminded viewers that tsunamis can grow larger over time, and that even “small” waves of up to 80 cm are powerful enough to sweep people off their feet.
Japan’s broadcasters have added extra urgency to their on-screen advice since the disaster in 2011; The victims included those who were unable to evacuate or fled when it was too late.
Evacuation warning for those living close to affected areas
Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that residents of coastal areas of Japan, where the tsunami is expected to hit, were advised to evacuate immediately.
One warning said:
Tsunami waves are approaching the shores. Evacuate as quickly as possible. Waves can hit repeatedly. Continue evacuating until all warnings are lifted.
NKH added the following to its report:
If you are in affected areas, stay away from coasts and estuaries at risk of flooding. Continue evacuating until all warnings are lifted.
He noted that there may be some changes in sea level but “there is no threat of tsunami damage”, adding:
People in affected areas need to be evacuated immediately. Escape immediately to higher and safer ground. The arrival time of the tsunami is only an estimate.
The waves may actually come sooner or later. Continue evacuating as long as the warning remains.
Waves may reach much higher levels than expected.
There is no tsunami danger for Australia, according to an announcement issued by the country’s Bureau of Meteorology.
The Bureau published this morning in question:
A magnitude 7.5 submarine earthquake occurred at 17:52 (AEST) on Monday.
April 20, 2026, near the HONSHU OFF EASTERN LAND, JAPAN.
THERE IS NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO THE AUSTRALIAN MAINLAND, ISLANDS OR TERRITORIES.
He added that he would not provide further updates unless the situation changes.
Tsunami waves were observed in various regions
Justin Mc Curry
Authorities in Japan are urging people living on the country’s northeastern coast to evacuate to higher ground after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami warning., Our Tokyo correspondent Justin McCurry writes, Waves are expected to reach 3 meters high.
Observations of tsunami waves in various regions led to warnings and advisories in Fukushima, Iwate and Aomori prefectures, as well as the northernmost main island of Hokkaido.
Public broadcaster NHK broadcast live footage of parts of the coastline, while announcers repeatedly urged people to flee before dark.
The earthquake, which occurred offshore at a depth of 10 km shortly before 17:00 local time, registered an upper 5 above 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale; This means that the shaking was strong enough to make movement difficult without support and knock over furniture.
It’s been 15 years since the same region was devastated by a magnitude 9 earthquake that triggered a tsunami and a triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The disaster killed nearly 20,000 people, most of whom were swept away by the tsunami.
It has been 15 years since the much stronger 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami devastated northern Japan on March 11, 2011. It killed nearly 20,000 people and forced nearly half a million people to flee their homes, the Associated Press reported.
Approximately 160,000 people fled their homes in Fukushima due to radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was hit by the tsunami. About 26,000 of them did not return because they had settled elsewhere, were off-limits to their hometown, or had ongoing concerns about radiation.
Yes no nuclear power plant It is currently in operation in the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions, but Hokkaido Electric Power Co and Tohoku Electric Power Co have several closed nuclear power plants there.
Tohoku Electric said it was checking the impact of the earthquake and tsunami on the Onagawa nuclear power plant.
People in affected areas were called to evacuate
Authorities said that the intensity of the earthquake was revised to 7.5 and that the largest waves due to the tsunami were expected in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures.
Reuters, prime minister’s Sanae Takaichi says the government has established an emergency task force and urged citizens in affected areas to evacuate to safety.
Broadcaster NHK, ‘Tsunami! ‘I’m evacuating!’ flashed on the screen.
High-speed train service in Aomori, at the northern tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu, was halted due to tremors, Kyodo news agency reported.
Tsunami alert issued after strong earthquake in northern Japan
A strong earthquake occurred off the northern coast of Japan and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami alert in the region.
The 7.4 preliminary magnitude earthquake struck around 16:53 (0753 GMT) off the coast of Sanriku in northern Japan, about 10 km (6 miles) below the sea surface, the agency said.
Japan’s NHK public television said a tsunami of up to 3 meters (10 feet) could soon hit the region.
