Japan Issues Advisory for Possible Major Earthquake After 7.5-Magnitude Quake Triggers Tsunami Warnings

The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers off Iwate Prefecture on Honshu island. Tsunami waves reaching up to 80 centimeters were recorded at Kuji port in Iwate, while smaller waves of about 40 centimeters hit another port. Warnings initially predicted waves up to 3 meters, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of residents in coastal regions of Iwate, Hokkaido, and other northern prefectures.

Tremors were felt as far as Tokyo, hundreds of kilometers away.

More than 128,000 residents received evacuation advisories, with people directed to higher ground or designated buildings. In Hokkaido, alerts remained in place for about two hours after the quake hit at 16:52 local time. Footage showed residents moving to parks and elevated areas, and local authorities used loudspeakers to warn of potential tsunamis.

One resident in Hokkaido described the scene, saying the shaking was relatively mild but people evacuated quickly. Office workers were allowed to leave early, and some planned to stay on hilltops until alerts lifted. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later stated the tsunami threat had passed, and warnings were downgraded.

“As soon as we heard the earthquake alert, everyone ran downstairs. However, this time the shaking was relatively mild. Right now, local authorities are using loudspeakers in the neighbourhood to warn people about a possible tsunami and to stay alert.”

Following the quake, Japan's Meteorological Agency issued a special advisory, stating the likelihood of a huge earthquake, possibly magnitude 8.0 or higher, was relatively higher than normal. The advisory covered 182 municipalities from Hokkaido to Chiba, urging residents to prepare for evacuation while continuing daily life.

Officials estimated a 1% chance of such a mega-quake along the northern coast within the next week. This advisory echoed one issued in December after another major quake, though no large event followed then. The agency warned that quakes causing stronger shaking could occur, potentially producing bigger waves.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged people to move to higher, safer places. No major damage or injuries were reported, including at power stations and nuclear facilities, which operated normally. About 100 homes lost power, and several bullet train lines, including the Tohoku, Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen, were suspended.

Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters there were no immediate reports of significant issues.

“Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted.”

A magnitude 7 or stronger quake occurs roughly every 16 months on average. The event recalled the 2011 Tohoku earthquake of magnitude 9.0, which killed over 18,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands, and caused the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. That disaster struck off the coast south of Iwate, leading to enhanced warning systems.

Since then, the government has emphasized quick evacuations to higher ground during tsunami alerts. The recent quake's epicenter was near the Chishima trough, increasing concerns for aftershocks over the next week. Australian officials noted they were monitoring the situation and ready to provide consular assistance to citizens in Japan.

The advisory is not a prediction but a call for preparedness in this seismically active nation.