A powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck off the Sanriku coast of northeastern Japan on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings and emergency alerts across several regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit at 4:52 pm local time, at a shallow depth of 10 km, with its epicentre located off the coast near Iwate Prefecture. Tremors were felt as far away as Tokyo, according to reports.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that a tsunami had already been observed about 50 km offshore, raising concerns of further waves. Authorities warned that larger waves could follow the initial surge. Tsunami alerts have been issued with officials urging residents in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground immediately.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appealed for calm and asked people in affected regions to prioritise safety and move away from low-lying zones.
Initial safety checks at nuclear facilities have not reported any abnormalities. According to Kyodo News, plants in Aomori Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture remain unaffected. Operators of the Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant also confirmed no irregularities, while inspections are ongoing at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
The Fukushima Daiichi plant was the site of a major nuclear disaster in 2011 following a devastating earthquake and tsunami, which led to widespread evacuations and long-term radioactive contamination. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, warning that aftershocks and additional tsunami waves remain possible.
