A strong earthquake measuring 7.5 magnitude struck waters off northern Japan Monday, briefly triggering tsunami alerts along parts of the Pacific coast before authorities confirmed the danger had passed.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred at 11:15 p.m. local time off the eastern coastline of Hokkaido. The agency initially recorded the tremor at 7.3 but later upgraded the figure to 7.5 after further seismic analysis. The United States Geological Survey reported a similar reading of 7.4.
Following the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for coastal areas of Hokkaido, with forecasts suggesting waves could reach up to three meters. Advisories were also extended to other sections of Japan’s northern Pacific shoreline. The first wave, measuring around 70 centimeters, was observed at the port city of Kushiro.
As monitoring continued and no large surges developed, authorities began downgrading the warnings to advisories later in the morning. By several hours after the quake, all tsunami advisories were fully lifted.
Officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage. Japan’s nuclear safety regulators stated that inspections of nearby nuclear facilities revealed no abnormalities or safety concerns. As a precautionary measure, some train services in northern regions were temporarily suspended while safety checks were carried out.
Japan sits along one of the world’s most active seismic zones, where tectonic plates frequently shift. While earthquakes of this scale are not uncommon, authorities continue to urge residents in coastal areas to remain alert and follow official guidance during seismic events.
