Following the powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake off the Sanriku Coast, authorities have issued urgent tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, Iwate and Aomori, advising residents to evacuate immediately as waves reaching three metres are expected to impact the northern Japanese coastline
A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan at approximately 4:53 pm on Monday, April 20, 2026. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) identified the epicentre off the Sanriku Coast, an area historically significant for its high level of seismic activity.
The sudden release of energy from this undersea tremor immediately triggered the nation’s sophisticated early warning systems, as authorities worked to assess the threat to coastal communities.
Regional intensity and shaking distribution
The earthquake produced intense ground motion that was felt across a wide swath of northern Japan. According to the Japanese seismic intensity scale, which ranges from 0 to 7, the town of Hashikami in Aomori Prefecture recorded a level of Upper 5. At this intensity, it becomes difficult for individuals to remain standing and unreinforced concrete-block walls may suffer damage or collapse.
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