A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, triggering a tsunami warning for coastal areas, NDTV World reported.
The earthquake occurred at 4:53 pm (0753 GMT) in the Pacific waters off Iwate prefecture. Tremors were felt across a wide region, with buildings shaking even in Tokyo, located several hundred kilometres away.
Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that tsunami waves of up to three metres could hit the coast. Around 40 minutes later, an 80-centimetre wave was recorded at a port in Kuji in Iwate.
The agency issued evacuation instructions, stating, "Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building," and added, "Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted."
The prime minister's office set up a crisis management team following the incident. Sanae Takaichi said, "For those of you who live in areas for which the warnings have been issued, please evacuate to higher, safer places such as higher ground," and added that the government was assessing any casualties or damage.
A Japan Meteorological Agency official said more earthquakes could occur in the region. Visuals broadcast by NHK did not show any immediate damage in several ports in Iwate.
Japan is among the most seismically active countries, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiencing around 1,500 earthquakes each year. The country accounts for about 18% of global seismic activity.
In 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed around 18,500 people and caused a nuclear accident at Fukushima. In 2024, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a special advisory for a possible “megaquake” along the Nankai Trough, an undersea region where tectonic plates meet.
A similar advisory was issued in December 2025 after a magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off the northern coast, triggering tsunami waves of up to 70 centimetres and injuring more than 40 people, though no major damage was reported.
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