A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, April 20, 2026. The earthquake hit at around 4:53 p.m. local time in the Pacific Ocean near the Sanriku coast of Iwate Prefecture, at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) quickly issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas in Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido prefectures. Authorities warned that waves as high as 3 metres (10 feet) could hit the shores. People living near the sea were told to move immediately to higher ground for safety.
Small tsunami waves were later observed, with heights of up to 80 centimetres recorded at some ports. The warning was later downgraded to a tsunami advisory in some areas.
The JMA has warned that earthquakes of similar strength could occur in the next week. Residents have been asked to stay alert for possible aftershocks, landslides, and the risk of larger waves even after the first ones pass.
No major damage or casualties have been reported so far. Bullet train services were stopped temporarily, and safety checks were carried out at ports and nuclear facilities as a precaution.
Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone where earthquakes and tsunamis are common. This event reminded many people of the deadly 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge everyone to remain careful.
