by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
TOKYO (Worthy News) – Tsunami warnings were issued in Japan after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan on Monday afternoon, authorities said.
The quake, registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.4, occurred off the coast of Sanriku in northern Japan at around 4:53 p.m. local time at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles), officials confirmed.
Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that tsunami waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) could reach coastal areas.
Officials urged residents in affected regions to move immediately to higher ground, warning that waves could arrive quickly and in multiple surges.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement that “tsunami waves may strike repeatedly,” advising people not to return to low-lying areas until the warning is lifted.
When officials warn of a tsunami in Japan, they are acting based on the lessons of 2011, when minutes made the difference between life and death.
During the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, a magnitude 9.0 quake triggered massive waves that swept away entire towns, destroying infrastructure and overwhelming coastal defenses.
Nearly 20,000 people were killed or went missing, and hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes, leaving a lasting humanitarian impact.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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