7.5-MAG QUAKE HITS NORTHERN JAPAN; TSUNAMI WARNING ISSUED

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A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday, April 20, 2026, triggering urgent tsunami warnings and widespread evacuations across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a major warning for waves up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) targeting the Pacific coasts of Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido. Residents in these areas have been instructed to move immediately to higher ground as tidal waves have already begun reaching local ports, with an 80-centimeter surge confirmed at Kuji Port in Iwate. 

The earthquake occurred at 4:53 p.m. local time (07:53 UTC) with its epicenter located roughly 100 kilometers east-northeast of Miyako at a depth of 10 to 35 kilometers. While the USGS reported a magnitude of 7.4, the JMA provided a preliminary rating of 7.5, noting that the tremors were intense enough to cause buildings to sway for several minutes as far south as Tokyo. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has since established an emergency task force to coordinate rescue operations and assess potential casualties or structural damage.

Transportation across northern Japan has been significantly disrupted, with JR East suspending all Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori stations. Despite the severity of the shaking, operators of nuclear facilities in the affected regions—including the Fukushima Daiichi and Onagawa plants—reported no immediate abnormalities or safety concerns. Officials continue to warn of potential large aftershocks over the coming week and urge the public to remain in safe, elevated locations until all tsunami advisories are officially lifted.