Japan’s 7.5 Earthquake: 23 Injured and a 2-Foot Tsunami Explained
A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan late Monday night, sending tremors through the region and triggering a tsunami alert that brought back memories of the devastating 2011 disaster. The quake, centered about 80 kilometers northeast of Hachinohe in Aomori prefecture, injured 23 people and prompted urgent evacuations along the Pacific coastline.
The tremor, which hit just before midnight local time, was felt as far away as Tokyo. Residents reported intense shaking. “I’ve never experienced such a big shaking,” said Nobuo Yamada, a convenience store owner in Hachinohe. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially warned of tsunami waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) but later recorded surges of around 70 centimeters (2 feet, 4 inches) at Kuji port in Iwate prefecture, with smaller waves observed elsewhere.
Most of the injuries occurred from falling objects, though one person was seriously hurt. The quake caused localized disruption, leaving about 800 homes without power and suspending Shinkansen bullet train services in the affected region. At New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, approximately 200 passengers were stranded overnight.
Authorities moved swiftly to ensure safety. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara urged residents in coastal areas to seek higher ground until advisories were lifted. Nuclear regulators confirmed that plants in the region, including the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing facility—where about 450 liters of water spilled from a cooling area—were operating safely without any immediate risk.
The government established an emergency task force, and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi mobilized 18 helicopters for damage assessment. About 480 residents took shelter at Hachinohe Air Base.
While tsunami advisories were lifted by Tuesday morning, officials warned of possible aftershocks and a slightly elevated risk of a larger quake in the coming days. Satoshi Harada of the Meteorological Agency reminded the public, “You need to prepare, assuming that a disaster like that could happen again,” referencing the catastrophic 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized putting “people’s lives first” and called on residents to stay informed and ready to evacuate immediately upon feeling tremors. As the region begins to assess the full extent of the damage, the event serves as a sobering rehearsal of Japan’s constant preparedness in one of the world’s most seismically active zones.
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