Strong Earthquake Shakes Northern Japan as Tsunami Advisory Lifted After Hours

A strong earthquake struck northern Japan on Sunday evening, shaking coastal cities and prompting a tsunami advisory that remained in effect for several hours before being lifted. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake registered a magnitude of 6.9 and struck at a depth of about 16 kilometers (10 miles) off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 p.m. local time.

The tremor was followed by a series of smaller aftershocks that rippled across the region, including parts of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Authorities initially issued a tsunami advisory warning residents of possible waves up to one meter high, later cautioning that certain coastal areas could see water levels rise as high as three meters.

Tsunami Waves and Regional Impact

Shortly after the quake, tsunami waves measuring around 10 centimeters (4 inches) were observed in Ofunato City, Ominato Port, Miyako, and Kamaishi. Later, waves as high as 20 centimeters (8 inches) were recorded in Kuji and again in Ofunato. While relatively small, these surges prompted emergency warnings urging residents to stay away from coastal areas and avoid the ocean until the advisory was lifted.

Officials warned that tsunami waves can come in multiple surges over several hours, sometimes growing stronger with time. After approximately three hours, the tsunami advisory was lifted, though the meteorological agency cautioned that the area remains vulnerable to strong aftershocks for at least a week, particularly over the next few days.

Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries, structural damage, or irregularities at nearby nuclear power facilities. Local bullet train services operated by JR East were temporarily suspended as a precaution but later resumed.

A Region Long Marked by Earthquake Risk

Northeastern Japan lies along the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world. The area continues to carry the memory of the catastrophic 2011 triple disaster — a massive earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown in Fukushima Prefecture, just south of Iwate. That tragedy killed nearly 20,000 people and forced widespread evacuations around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

More than a decade later, many residents remain displaced, and anti-nuclear demonstrations persist across Japan. Just a day before Sunday’s quake, protesters had gathered to call for greater accountability and recognition of the ongoing risks of nuclear energy.

A Japan Meteorological Agency official said that while Sunday’s earthquake was not directly linked to the 2011 disaster, it serves as a reminder of the region’s ongoing seismic vulnerability. Japan’s complex tectonic setting, where several plates meet, makes frequent and sometimes powerful earthquakes an unavoidable part of life.

As emergency crews monitor the situation and assess potential damage, officials are urging residents in northern Japan to stay alert and prepared for potential aftershocks in the days ahead.