Powerful 7.6-magnitude quake off Japan's north coast triggers tsunami alert
What's the story
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck off the northern coast of Japan on Monday, triggering a tsunami alert. The United States Geological Survey reported that the quake hit at 1415 GMT off Misawa on Japan's Pacific coast, at a depth of 53km. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami warning after one wave hit Aomori's port at 11:43pm local time (1443 GMT). Media reports said 23 people were injured.
Tsunami impact
Tsunami waves reach up to 50cm along Japan's coast
The JMA reported that several tsunami waves reached the coast, measuring up to 50cm, or approximately 20 inches. According to public broadcaster NHK, a hotel employee in Hachinohe, Aomori, said there had been injuries due to the quake. Live footage showed shattered glass fragments scattered across roads and residents seeking shelter in the city hall. The tremors were also felt as far away as Sapporo, where smartphone alarms alerted residents.
Safety measures
Government urges caution, nuclear plants on high alert
Top government spokesman Minoru Kihara urged residents to remain in safe places until the warning was lifted. He warned that "even after an initial wave, a second or third wave of an even greater height can arrive." Kihara also said he had "received no reports yet of abnormalities" from two nuclear power plants in northern Japan.
Twitter Post
Social media post on earthquake alert
7.6 Earthquake video of a Japanese Streamer.
— FACT18 (@factt110) December 8, 2025
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Tsunami Warning – 12/8, 11:23pm
The Tsunami Advisory has been upgraded to a Tsunami Warning. Waves of. Those near coastal areas, rivers#Japan #earthquake #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/rPHJdvQRkg
Damage assessment
Japan's emergency task force assesses damage
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of an emergency task force to assess damage. She said, "We are putting people's lives first and doing everything we can." Nuclear power plants in the region were conducting safety checks after the quake. Japan is located on four major tectonic plates along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it one of the world's most tectonically active countries.
Earthquake frequency
Japan experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually
Japan experiences around 1,500 earthquakes every year. Most are mild, but their impact varies based on location and depth. In January, a government panel slightly raised the likelihood of a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough over the next 30 years to 75-82%. A government estimate in March suggested such a "megaquake" could result in up to 298,000 deaths and damage up to $2 trillion.