Tokyo, Dec. 09, 2025

Japan faced a tense and frightening start to the week after a strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck northern parts of the country late on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings, widespread evacuations, and a rare alert for a possible “megaquake.” The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the advisory only hours after the major tremor, urging people in the affected regions to stay cautious for at least a week. By early Tuesday, all tsunami warnings were lifted, but the fear of aftershocks remained high.

The earthquake hit near the Aomori coast, shaking homes, shops, and public spaces across northern Honshu. Around 30 people were reported injured, and nearly 90,000 residents were asked to leave their homes as a precaution. Roads cracked open in several areas, and videos showed a car stuck in a deep hole formed by the tremors. Broken windows and scattered debris were seen in many towns. Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara confirmed at least one fire in a residential area.

Hours after the main quake, the US Geological Survey recorded another tremor — this one at magnitude 5.1 — south of Honcho. Smaller aftershocks continued through the night, keeping residents on edge. The JMA has said that the Hokkaido-Sanriku offshore region will remain under a “megaquake” advisory until December 16, a standard practice when a major quake hits this part of Japan.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi quickly formed a crisis task force and instructed officials to send clear information about tsunami alerts and evacuation orders. She urged people to secure furniture, follow reliable updates, and be ready to move to safety if strong shaking is felt again. She also stressed that authorities were working to understand the scale of the damage as quickly as possible.

One of the most worrying reports came from Aomori’s Rokkasho nuclear reprocessing plant, where the Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed a leak of about 450 litres of water from the spent fuel cooling section. Officials said the leak did not pose a safety threat and that water levels remained normal. Several nuclear facilities in the region carried out emergency checks, while 18 defence helicopters were sent out to assess damage.

The quake registered an “upper 6” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in parts of Aomori. At this level, it becomes nearly impossible to stand without support, and heavy furniture is likely to topple. Eyewitness accounts described terrifying moments of shaking. Daiki Shimohata, a civil servant from Aomori, said the tremors reminded him of the devastating 2011 earthquake. He and his family ran outside holding their young children as their home shook for nearly 20 seconds.

The impact extended to transportation as well. Shinkansen bullet train services were suspended between Morioka and Shin-Aomori while engineers examined the tracks. Delays were also reported on routes connecting Morioka and Tokyo, including the Akita line.

Japan, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent earthquakes — nearly one every five minutes somewhere in the country. About 20% of the world’s powerful quakes occur here, making preparedness a key part of daily life. Still, the possibility of a “megaquake,” which could trigger more dangerous tsunamis along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba, adds an extra layer of public concern.

Although the tsunami waves from Monday’s quake reached about 70 cm and caused no major damage, officials continue to urge caution. With aftershocks expected and investigations ongoing, Japan remains on alert, hoping the worst is behind them while bracing for what may come 

Japan Issues ‘Megaquake’ Alert After Powerful 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northern Region

A strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocked northern Japan late Monday, triggering tsunami warnings and a rare “megaquake” alert from officials. The quake struck off the coast of Aomori and shook homes and streets across the region. Early reports say around 90,000 people were asked to leave their homes as a safety precaution, and about 30 people were injured.

The quake came with a terrifying force — in some areas, it hit an “upper 6” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, shaking buildings so hard it was almost impossible to stand. Cracks opened in roads, broken windows and fallen debris appeared everywhere, and one car was reported trapped in a deep fissure on a damaged street. At least one house caught fire as well.

Following the earthquake, the country’s earthquake agency issued a “megaquake” alert, warning of possible stronger tremors and even tsunami risks along coastal regions from Hokkaido to Chiba. Although tsunami warnings were lifted early Tuesday and waves reportedly reached about 70 cm, officials insist residents remain alert for aftershocks and possible dangers.

Just hours after the main quake, a 5.1-magnitude aftershock struck south of Honcho, and smaller tremors continued to rattle the area. The government formed a national crisis task force to monitor the situation and coordinate safety measures. They urged people to fix heavy furniture, follow reliable updates, and be ready to evacuate again if needed.

There was also concern at nuclear facilities — at one reprocessing plant in Aomori, roughly 450 litres of water leaked from a cooling section. Officials said water levels were within safe limits and there was no immediate danger, but safety checks are ongoing. Bullet trains in the north were halted while engineers inspected tracks for damage.

Eyewitnesses described the earthquake as a shocking, long shake that felt worse than anything they’d known. Many compared the fear to the 2011 disaster. Families clutched their children and rushed outside in panic, looking for safety in uncertain moments.

Japan lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where earthquakes are common. Still, the scale of this quake and the looming alert have left many shaken, reminding everyone how fragile stability can be in an instant. As the country waits for what comes next, people are staying alert, hoping for calm but bracing for more tremors.