Apr20(BNP): A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami warning for waves of up to three metres. The quake occurred at 4:53 PM (local time) in the Pacific waters off Iwate Prefecture and was strong enough to shake buildings as far away as Tokyo.
Approximately 40 minutes after the earthquake, an 80-centimetre tsunami wave was recorded at a port in Kuji, Iwate. Authorities immediately urged residents in coastal and riverside areas to evacuate to higher ground or designated evacuation buildings, warning that multiple waves could follow.
Officials cautioned that tsunami activity may continue and advised people not to return to low-lying areas until the warning is officially lifted. Emergency protocols were activated, and the Prime Minister’s Office set up a crisis management team to monitor the situation and coordinate response efforts.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appealed to residents in affected regions to prioritise safety and follow evacuation advisories, while authorities continue to assess potential damage and casualties. Initial visuals from national broadcaster NHK did not indicate any major destruction at key ports, though officials warned of possible aftershocks.
Japan, located along the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes, and authorities remain on high alert as the situation develops.
