Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes Japan; 16-inch tsunami wave recorded

A strong 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan late Monday, triggering tsunami alerts and small waves along the Pacific coast, with authorities urging residents to move to higher ground as safety checks and damage assessments began.

The Japanese meteorological agency (JMA) said the quake hit around 11:15pm local time, with its epicenter located about 80 km off the coast of Aomori and at a depth of roughly 50 km below sea level. The agency recorded tsunami waves between 40 and 50 cm - including a 50 cm wave at Kuji port in Iwate prefecture and similar levels across coastal communities.


Authorities had earlier warned the tremor could generate surges of up to 3 metres, advising residents in Hokkaido, Aomori and surrounding regions to stay alert. Chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara urged people to “immediately head to higher ground or take shelter” until the warning is lifted.

Local media reported several injuries, including at a hotel in Hachinohe and a man in Tohoku who was hurt when his car fell into a hole.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said an emergency task force had been activated: “We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can.”

Kihara added that nuclear power plants in the region were conducting safety checks, with no abnormalities detected so far.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with further details on structural damage or additional casualties awaited.

(With inpurts from agency)