Powerful 6.9 quake hits Northern Japan; tsunami advisory lifted after 3 hrs

Tokyo: A powerful earthquake rattled northern Japan on Sunday evening, prompting a tsunami advisory that was lifted about three hours later, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The initial quake, later upgraded to a magnitude of 6.9 with a depth of 16 km, struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 pm Japan time. Several aftershocks followed, shaking Iwate and the northernmost island of Hokkaido.

No immediate injuries or significant damage were reported, and the two nuclear power plants in the region were reportedly unaffected. The meteorological agency initially warned of tsunami waves up to 1 metre along the northern coast, with some areas possibly experiencing waves as high as 3 metres. Actual measurements detected tsunamis of 10–20 cm at Ofunato City, Ominato Port, Miyako, Kamaishi, and Kuji. Authorities urged residents to stay away from the ocean and coastal areas while the advisory was in effect, warning that further tremors could occur.

The agency noted that the region remains at risk of strong earthquakes for about a week, particularly in the next two to three days. Bullet trains in the area experienced temporary delays, according to the JR East railway operator.

Northeastern Japan is historically prone to earthquakes, including the 2011 triple disaster in Fukushima, which involved a quake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown, killing nearly 20,000 people and displacing many. While the latest quake bears no direct link to 2011, officials highlighted the region’s persistent vulnerability to major seismic events, including a significant quake in 1992.

Japan, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, and authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely.

With PTI inputs