A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday night, prompting a tsunami warning and prompting people in coastal areas to evacuate to safer places.
The tremors were so strong that buildings were felt shaking in several cities, while the tremors were also felt clearly in the capital Tokyo and lasted for about thirty seconds.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, small tsunami waves were seen in some areas after the earthquake. A 0.7-meter-high wave was recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate, while waves of up to 40 centimeters were also recorded in Aomori and Hokkaido.
The initial tsunami warning was downgraded to a tsunami advisory a few hours later, but officials urged people to continue to exercise caution.
According to state officials, there were reports of injuries in Aomori and fires in some places. Power outages occurred in several areas after the quake, while Shinkansen (bullet train) service from Fukushima to Aomori was also suspended. Some expressways have also been closed as a precaution to prevent a possible accident.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that nuclear facilities were being monitored. He said no unusual conditions had been reported at the Higashi-Dori and Wanagawa nuclear power plants. Other nuclear plants are also being tested so that timely action can be taken in case of any danger.
Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi, who was elected in October this year, said that the government is assessing the situation together with local authorities and emergency measures are being taken in the affected areas. He said that the government’s top priority is to protect human lives and all agencies are working together.
Japan is one of the regions in the world where earthquakes occur frequently because it is located on a seismic belt known as the Ring of Fire. This area is prone to major tremors due to the constant movement of volcanoes and tectonic plates.
The worst earthquake in Japan’s history occurred in 2011, when a 9.1 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the Tohoku region. More than 22,000 people died or went missing in that tragedy, while the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant has made the situation even more serious.
Rescue teams are on the move after the latest quake and people living in coastal areas have been advised to stay in safe places. Officials said the situation is being continuously monitored and new information will be released as it becomes available.
