News M7.7 quake hits northern Japan; tsunami warning issued

A tsunami warning and advisory were issued on 20 April for the Pacific coast of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, after a strong earthquake struck off the Sanriku coast at around 16:52. The Japan Meteorological Agency said waves of up to 3 metres were expected along central parts of Hokkaido's Pacific coast, as well as the Pacific coasts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures. In other areas, including eastern and western Hokkaido, the Sea of Japan side of Aomori, and Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, tsunamis of around 1 metre were forecast.


Some waves had already been observed. Tsunamis were reported at Hachinohe Port in Aomori, and at Kuji Port and Miyako in Iwate Prefecture. Evacuation instructions were issued in at least 25 municipalities, mostly across the Tohoku region. Local authorities told residents to move to higher ground, though details varied by area. The agency put the earthquake at magnitude 7.5, with a shallow focus at about 10 kilometres. In Hashikami, Aomori Prefecture, shaking reached an upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7.

Following this afternoon's earthquake, 171,957 people have been ordered to evacuate. The JMA has issued an alert warning of a possible mega-quake, after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on Monday. The agency said residents in seven prefectures should prepare for a potential disaster and keep checking for updates. It also warned that the likelihood of a much larger quake has increased along two major deep-sea trenches in the Pacific. The alert covers 182 municipalities, from Hokkaido down to Chiba. Officials said the situation is being monitored closely, though details remain limited for now.

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Hokkaido on Monday, Japan's weather agency said, with no tsunami warning issued. The quake hit at 5.24 a.m. and registered upper 5 on Japan's seven-point seismic intensity scale in the Tokachi region. The focus was at a depth of about 83 kilometres, according to the JMA. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Early information was limited, but no major damage was initially reported.