Tokyo: Japan has issued urgent warnings over the possibility of a huge earthquake in the coming days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude tremor struck off the country’s north-east coast, prompting mass evacuations and tsunami alerts.
The quake hit waters off Iwate prefecture, about 530km north of Tokyo, sending thousands of residents fleeing to higher ground with fears of waves reaching up to 3 metres. While the largest recorded tsunami wave reached 80cm, authorities stressed the threat could escalate with aftershocks.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that seismic activity in the region remains elevated, with the possibility of stronger quakes occurring within the next week. Officials noted that the likelihood of an earthquake exceeding magnitude 8.0 is currently higher than usual.
Tremors were felt across large parts of the country, including Honshu and Hokkaido, where tsunami alerts lingered for hours after the initial shock. Coastal communities were urged to remain vigilant as waves can arrive repeatedly.
More than 170,000 residents across multiple prefectures were placed under evacuation orders, marking one of the most widespread precautionary responses in recent months. Public infrastructure saw temporary disruption, with bullet train services halted and around 100 homes briefly losing power. Services were gradually restored later in the evening.
Government officials, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, urged citizens to stay in safe zones until all warnings were officially lifted. Emergency broadcasts and loudspeaker announcements continued across affected regions, reinforcing the need for caution.
Japan’s vulnerability to seismic activity stems from its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates frequently shift. The country experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually, accounting for roughly 10 percent of the world’s stronger tremors.
Memories remain vivid of the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 18,000 people and triggered the catastrophic Fukushima nuclear disaster. Since then, Japan has significantly strengthened its early warning systems and evacuation protocols. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to stay alert as aftershocks and further seismic risks persist in the days ahead.
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