Tsunami alert lifted after latest earthquake strikes Japan’s northeast

Friday 12 December 2025 - 07:30

By: Sahili Aya

Tsunami alert lifted after latest earthquake strikes Japan’s northeast

Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) lifted a tsunami advisory on Friday after a new earthquake struck the northeastern coast, just days after a stronger tremor injured dozens and caused widespread damage.

According to national broadcaster NHK, the magnitude-6.7 quake hit off Aomori Prefecture at 11:44am local time (02:44 GMT), at a depth of about 20km. Small tsunami waves of around 20cm were later detected in the towns of Erimo in Hokkaido and in parts of Aomori, but authorities said conditions at local ports remained stable.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no irregularities were found at nearby nuclear facilities.

This latest tremor followed a more powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake earlier in the week, which damaged roads, shattered windows and temporarily left thousands without power in freezing weather. At least 50 people were reported injured.

The JMA has warned residents across a wide area—from Hokkaido to the region east of Tokyo—to stay alert, explaining that another strong quake could occur within a week. The region remains sensitive to seismic risks, still marked by memories of the 2011 disaster, when a magnitude-9.0 undersea quake triggered a devastating tsunami.

Japan issued its first special seismic advisory in 2024 for the Pacific coast, warning of the possibility of a major earthquake along the Nankai Trough. Government estimates suggest that such an event could cause large-scale destruction and heavy casualties.

As concern rises, local media report that many residents have begun buying emergency supplies. Shops in parts of Hokkaido say sales of water, flashlights and disaster kits have surged since Monday’s quake. One customer told NHK that he purchased emergency packs for his entire family “just to be prepared.”

Japan, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, experiences around 1,500 earthquakes each year, making it one of the most seismically active countries in the world.