Japan issued a warning on Monday about an elevated risk of a potential mega-earthquake in the northern coastal regions, triggered by a significant seismic event earlier in the day. The Cabinet Office and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) disclosed that there is a one percent probability of a mega-quake hitting the northern coast of Japan within the next week following the powerful earthquake near the Chishima trough.
Authorities clarified that the advisory does not predict an earthquake but emphasized the importance of residents enhancing their preparedness by stocking emergency supplies like food and a “go bag” while carrying on with their daily routines. This marks the second advisory issued for the region in recent months, with the previous one being after a major quake in December that did not lead to subsequent significant seismic activity.
Earlier in the day, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan, prompting warnings of tsunami waves up to three meters high. Although initial tsunami waves of 80 centimeters were detected shortly after the quake at 4:53 p.m. local time, the tsunami alert was later downgraded to an advisory by JMA. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that the tsunami threat had passed.
As night descended in Tokyo, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, as stated by Japan’s government spokesperson Minoru Kihara. Evacuation orders were issued in several port towns, including Otsuchi and Kamaishi, both of which were severely impacted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the establishment of an emergency task force and urged residents in the affected areas to evacuate to safe locations. Anticipating significant aftershocks in the coming days and weeks, an official from JMA cautioned about the potential risks. Ships at Hachinohe port in Hokkaido sailed out in anticipation of possible waves, as shown on NHK, with warnings flashing across screens urging evacuation.
The earthquake registered an “upper 5” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, making movement difficult and posing risks of unreinforced concrete-block walls collapsing. The tremor originated in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to JMA. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported no abnormalities at Japan’s nuclear facilities post-earthquake.
Situated in the volatile “Ring of Fire” region, Japan faces frequent seismic activities due to its location along volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches encircling the Pacific Basin. The country experiences around 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher, with a notable 7.5 magnitude quake causing numerous injuries in December.
Notably, over 15 years have passed since the devastating magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 that devastated northern Japan, resulting in more than 22,000 fatalities and displacing nearly half a million individuals from their homes, primarily due to tsunami impact. Fukushima witnessed around 160,000 evacuations due to radiation concerns following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant catastrophe, with approximately 26,000 people still residing elsewhere due to safety fears or restricted access to their hometowns.
