Authorities in Japan have warned of an increased risk of a “huge” earthquake in the coming week after a powerful 7.7 magnitude tremor struck off the country’s north-eastern coast, triggering evacuation orders and tsunami alerts.
The quake, recorded off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at a depth of about 10 kilometres, prompted warnings of possible tsunami waves of up to 3 metres across parts of Japan’s eastern shoreline.
Thousands of residents were instructed to move to higher ground or designated evacuation centres after the earthquake, which was felt as far away as Tokyo, about 530 kilometres from the epicentre.
Although the largest observed tsunami waves measured around 80 centimetres, the Japan Meteorological Agency cautioned that stronger seismic activity could still occur within the next week.
Officials warned that earthquakes capable of producing even more intense shaking remained a significant possibility, with the agency later stating that the probability of a magnitude 8.0 or higher event was now “relatively higher than during normal times.”
Emergency alerts were issued across coastal regions in the north-eastern main island of Honshu and parts of Hokkaido, where residents were urged to remain on high alert.
Local reports indicated that tsunami warnings remained active for about two hours after the quake struck at 16:52 local time before being downgraded and later lifted shortly before midnight.
The earthquake disrupted transport and infrastructure, with several bullet train services affected and around 100 homes briefly losing power, according to government officials.
Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed that no major injuries or widespread damage had been reported in the immediate aftermath.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to prioritise safety and move to higher ground when alerts were issued, warning that tsunami waves could strike repeatedly.
The incident has revived memories of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan, killing more than 18,000 people and triggering a nuclear disaster at Fukushima.
Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s most active seismic zones, and experiences frequent earthquakes each year, including a significant proportion of the world’s strongest recorded tremors.
Authorities say monitoring efforts will continue closely in the coming days as scientists assess the risk of further seismic activity in the region.
