Northern Japan Rocked by 7.5-Magnitude Quake, Tsunami Alerts Issued, Dozens Injured

A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan late on Monday night, shaking communities across Aomori and Iwate prefectures. The tremor, which occurred at around 11:15 p.m. local time, was centred about 80 kilometres offshore and at a depth of 50 kilometres beneath the Pacific Ocean.

Authorities said dozens were hurt, most of them by falling objects and structural collapses. In Hachinohe, several guests at the hotel sustained injuries, while a man in Tohoku was injured when his car fell into a cavity in the roadside caused by the quake. Hundreds sought shelter in evacuation centers, often military bases.

Tsunami waves as high as 70 centimeters were recorded at Kuji port in Iwate; smaller surges were reported in other coastal towns. Initial warnings of waves as high as three meters were later downgraded to advisories, but officials called on residents to remain vigilant. Bullet train services were also suspended, and power outages hit about 800 homes.

Nuclear facilities in the area conducted safety checks; a reprocessing plant in Aomori reported minor water spillage, but no immediate danger was detected. The defense forces deployed helicopters to check damage, while airports in the northern island of Hokkaido reported stranded passengers due to disrupted transport links.

The Meteorological Agency warned that aftershocks could continue for days to come, with a slight increase in the possibility of a bigger quake. It called on residents in 182 municipalities to review emergency measures. The incident brought back memories of the tragic earthquake and tsunami that struck in 2011 and highlighted how residents should be prepared for any disaster in this earthquake-prone country.