Japan is on heightened alert after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off its north-east coast, prompting evacuation orders and tsunami warnings across several regions.
Strong quake triggers evacuations
The undersea quake hit off Iwate prefecture, around 530 km north of Tokyo, at a depth of 10 km. Authorities warned of possible tsunami waves up to 3 metres, leading more than 1,70,000 people to move to higher ground or designated evacuation shelters.
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The largest waves recorded reached 80 cm. While tsunami warnings and advisories were later lifted, officials continued to urge caution.
Warning of stronger aftershocks
The Japan Meteorological Agency cautioned that quakes "causing even stronger shaking" could occur within the next week. Authorities also noted that the likelihood of an earthquake measuring 8.0 magnitude or higher is "relatively higher than during normal times", BBC reported.
Tremors from Monday's quake were felt across a wide area, including Tokyo and northern regions such as Hokkaido, where alerts remained in place for several hours.
Residents recall tense moments
People in affected areas described the immediate response following the quake. "As soon as we heard the earthquake alert, everyone ran downstairs," Chaw Su Thwe, a Myanmar national living in Hokkaido, was quoted as saying by BBC. "However, this time the shaking was relatively mild.
"Right now, local authorities are using loudspeakers in the neighbourhood to warn people about a possible tsunami and to stay alert," she added. "Office workers have been allowed to leave work early."
Disruptions but limited damage
Transport services were briefly affected, with some bullet train operations suspended. Around 100 homes experienced power outages, according to Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara. Services were restored later in the night, and no major damage or injuries have been reported so far.
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The warnings have revived memories of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 18,000 people and led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire", Japan experiences frequent seismic activity, recording around 1,500 earthquakes annually. Authorities continue to advise residents to remain vigilant and prepared for further developments.
