A powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s northeastern region on Friday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami warning for coastal areas near Aomori Prefecture.
The quake occurred at 11:44 am local time (02:44 GMT) at a depth of around 20 kilometres, according to the JMA, while the United States Geological Survey also confirmed the magnitude at 6.7. The tremor was felt across a wide area and came just days after another strong earthquake hit the same region.
Although the shaking triggered a tsunami advisory, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that it was weaker than the magnitude 7.5 earthquake earlier this week. The earlier quake caused injuries, damaged roads, shattered windows, and generated tsunami waves measuring up to 70 centimeters along parts of the coast.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said there were no immediate reports of abnormalities at nearby nuclear facilities, easing concerns over any radiation risk.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, as the region is still on alert for possible aftershocks. Monday’s earthquake injured at least 50 people, and the JMA had already issued a special advisory warning residents from Hokkaido to Chiba to prepare for heightened seismic activity throughout the week.
Amid ongoing concerns, residents have been stepping up disaster preparedness. In Hakodate City, Hokkaido, local retailers reported that sales of bottled water and emergency kits have surged. A resident told NHK that their family decided to stock up to be ready for any emergency.
Northeastern Japan remains deeply conscious of seismic risks due to the devastating 2011 magnitude 9.0 undersea earthquake and tsunami that claimed around 18,500 lives. The government has also warned about the possibility of a massive earthquake along the Nankai Trough, which experts estimate could cause hundreds of thousands of deaths and trillions of dollars in damage.
Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where four major tectonic plates meet, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
