Japan 7.5 Quake Triggers Tsunami Warning Iwate, Hokkaido Evacuate | WPN World People News

A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Sanriku coast in northeastern Japan on the afternoon of the 20th, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue tsunami warnings and advisories. Authorities urged residents in coastal and river areas to immediately move to higher ground or evacuation shelters. Television broadcasts repeatedly delivered calm evacuation instructions in both Japanese and English, reminding viewers “Do not forget 3/11” as a warning against the potential devastation of tsunami waves.

According to the JMA, the earthquake occurred at 4:53 p.m. local time (3:53 p.m. Taipei time), with its epicenter located about 100 kilometers east of Miyako City and a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The magnitude was later revised upward from 7.4 to 7.5. Within two minutes of the quake, tsunami warnings were issued for Iwate Prefecture and central Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido, with waves of up to 3 meters forecast in some regions. By early evening, waves ranging from 0.4 to 0.8 meters had already been observed at Kuji Port and in Miyako City.

The Japanese government established an emergency response office at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called on residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately. Transportation was disrupted, with the Tohoku Shinkansen suspended between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. No abnormalities have been reported at nuclear facilities so far. The JMA warned that tsunami waves may arrive repeatedly, with the largest waves potentially occurring hours later, and urged the public not to return to coastal areas or approach the sea until all warnings are lifted.