A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of northern Japan, triggering native tsunami warnings and advisories.
As of 10am, Monday 20 April 2026, Japan’s Meteorological Agency studies the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km, on the native time of 4.53pm, off the coast of Sanriku, Iwate Prefecture.
The company has since famous that the earthquake was a magnitude 7.5, with an depth of higher 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 within the hardest-hit areas.
According to the nationwide broadcaster NHK, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed information reporters, “Residents in areas where tsunami warnings have been issued should immediately evacuate to higher ground or safer locations such as evacuation buildings.”
Authorities are doing their “utmost to assess the damage, implement emergency disaster response measures such as search and rescue operations, and provide timely and accurate information to the public… At this time, we are still confirming the extent of human and material damage, but we will receive detailed reports shortly and proceed with disaster response efforts.”
Tsunami warnings have been issued for Iwate Prefecture, Hokkaido, Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures, with estimated wave heights between one and three metres.
NHK studies that the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet prepare has been suspended between Tokyo Station and Shin-Aomori Station, as have all native JR traces in Iwate Prefecture.
There are not any studies of abnormalities at key coastal nuclear vegetation on the time of writing, however assessments are ongoing.
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s map here highlights the areas of Japan’s northern shoreline almost definitely to be affected by the tsunami waves.
This is an ongoing information story and can be up to date accordingly.