Overview
- The Japan Meteorological Agency, which reported a magnitude 7.4–7.5 quake off the Sanriku coast Monday at about 4:53 p.m. local time, issued tsunami warnings for Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido.
- Tsunami gauges recorded an 80 cm surge at Kuji port and 40 cm at Miyako, with officials warning some areas could still see waves up to 3 meters and urging people to stay on high ground until warnings are lifted.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi formed an emergency task force and urged residents in warned zones to evacuate to safety as TV broadcasts flashed “Tsunami! Evacuate!” alerts.
- Following the quake, the Tohoku Shinkansen suspended service between Tokyo and Shin‑Aomori while utilities reported checks at nuclear facilities in Tohoku and Hokkaido, where no reactors are currently operating.
- The JMA said strong aftershocks could strike over the next few days, and U.S. tsunami centers stated no tsunami impact is expected on the West Coast of the United States or Canada.