7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Japan: Over 30 Injured and Tsunami Warnings Issued

Japan's Meteorological Agency issued an alert in the region for a tsunami of up to 3 metres following a powerful earthquake that struck late night.

Tokyo: Japan conducted damage assessments Tuesday while warning residents about potential aftershocks after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck overnight, causing injuries, minor damage, and triggering a tsunami along Pacific coastal areas.

The disaster resulted in at least 33 people injured, with one person in serious condition, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. NHK public broadcaster reported that most injuries resulted from falling objects.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed reporters that an emergency task force had been established to rapidly assess damage. "We are putting people's lives first and doing everything we can," she stated.

During Tuesday's parliamentary session, Takaichi promised continued government efforts while emphasizing that individuals must also take responsibility for their own safety.

The earthquake struck at approximately 11:15 p.m. in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 80 kilometers off Aomori's coast, the northernmost prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu. The U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 7.6 magnitude, occurring 44 kilometers beneath the surface.

In Kuji port, Iwate prefecture, just south of Aomori, a tsunami reaching 70 centimeters was recorded, with waves up to 50 centimeters hitting other regional communities, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. NHK reported some damage to oyster rafts from the waves.

By 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, all tsunami advisories had been lifted by the agency.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reported that approximately 800 homes lost electricity and Shinkansen bullet trains along with some local railway lines were temporarily suspended in parts of the affected region early Tuesday. East Japan Railway announced plans to resume bullet train operations in the region later that day.

Tohoku Electric Power Co. confirmed that power was largely restored by Tuesday morning.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated that about 480 residents took shelter at Hachinohe Air Base, with 18 defense helicopters mobilized for damage assessment.

Around 200 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, according to NHK. A section of the domestic terminal building remained unusable Tuesday after ceiling components cracked and fell.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority reported approximately 450 liters of water spilled from a spent fuel cooling area at the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing facility in Aomori, though water levels remained within normal parameters with no safety concerns. No abnormalities were detected at other nuclear power plants or spent fuel storage facilities.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned about possible aftershocks in the coming days, noting a slight increased risk of a magnitude 8-level earthquake and potential tsunami along Japan's northeastern coast from Chiba to Hokkaido. The agency urged residents in 182 municipalities to review their emergency preparedness over the next week, clarifying that this caution is not predicting another major earthquake.

Monday's earthquake struck just north of the coastal region devastated by the 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that claimed nearly 20,000 lives and destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

"You need to prepare, assuming that a disaster like that could happen again," warned JMA official Satoshi Harada.

Smaller aftershocks continued Tuesday, with the U.S. Geological Survey reporting magnitude 6.6 and 5.1 quakes in the hours following the initial temblor.