Strong 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northern Japan, Dozens Injured

A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan late Monday night, shaking wide areas across Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido and leaving dozens injured.

The quake occurred at around 11:15 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located roughly 80 kilometers off Aomori Prefecture at a depth of about 50–54 kilometers.

Some areas recorded an “upper 6” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, causing significant shaking strong enough to make movement difficult.

Authorities issued immediate tsunami warnings, initially cautioning of possible waves up to three meters. Actual tsunami waves that reached the coast were smaller, measuring between 50 and 70 centimeters in several ports. All tsunami alerts were later lifted as conditions stabilized.

Between 23 and 33 people were reported injured, according to varying regional assessments. Most suffered injuries from falling objects and collapsing interior structures.

A few individuals were seriously hurt, including a hotel guest in Aomori and a person whose car fell into a road cavity created by ground fractures.

Damage assessments showed localized structural damage, including cracked roads, broken glass, and one reported fire. Around 800 households experienced temporary power outages.

Train services, including the Shinkansen in affected regions, were temporarily suspended as safety inspections were carried out.

Emergency shelters were opened, and thousands of residents moved to higher ground during the tsunami warning. Helicopters and rapid-response teams were deployed to survey remote and coastal areas.

No major damage was reported at nuclear facilities, though a minor water spill occurred at the Rokkasho reprocessing site, with officials confirming no safety risks.

Seismologists warned that aftershocks are likely and that a larger earthquake cannot be ruled out in the short term. Authorities urged residents to remain cautious, stay updated through emergency warnings, and prepare for possible further seismic activity.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press (AP), AFP, Al Jazeera