Japan earthquake live: Huge earthquake warning issued along 800-mile coastline as PM urges public to prepare

The moment an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck in Japan. Your support helps us tell the story

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The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the highest level warning of the possibility of a strong earthquake after Monday's 7.5-magnitude quake.

Authorities have urged anyone living near the Pacific coast to remain vigilant throughout next week and prepare evacuation plans in case they are forced to flee their homes.

The warning covers about 800 miles (1,300 km), extending from Japan's northeastern coast from Chiba, just east of Tokyo, to Hokkaido.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi urged members of the public to prepare, saying: “Please take appropriate disaster prevention measures based on the principle that you are responsible for protecting your life.”

Monday night's quake injured at least 34 people and sparked widespread tsunami warnings, with waves as high as 70 cm reported in several coastal communities.

All alerts were later lifted, and nuclear power plants across northeastern Japan conducted urgent inspections as a precaution.

The quake occurred around 11:15 p.m. in the Pacific Ocean, about 50 miles off the coast of Aomori.

Tuesday's notice was the first time this Class 1 alert has been issued since the warning system was launched in 2022.

How likely is a huge earthquake?

Huge earthquakes are inherently unpredictable and can strike anywhere in Japan without warning.

However, the Japan Meteorological Agency said it is sometimes preceded by a “somewhat smaller” earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher.

Historically, two major earthquakes have occurred only a day or two after such previous events.

For example, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off Sanriku in 2011 was followed two days later by a 9.0 magnitude Great East Japan Earthquake.

(Reuters)

Likewise, in 1963, a magnitude 7 earthquake southeast of Etorofu Island was followed 18 hours later by a magnitude 8.5 event.

Despite these cases, the agency said that – based on global earthquake statistics – the probability of a large earthquake occurring after such a warning is issued is only about 1 percent, or approximately once in every 100 warnings.

Marusha Muzaffar December 10, 2025 at 04:20

How long will Japan remain on alert for huge earthquakes?

Following Monday's 7.5-magnitude earthquake off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its first special warning on monitoring possible earthquakes and tsunamis in the coastal regions of Hokkaido and Sanriku.

According to local media, the government recommended that people remain alert for about a week.

The risk of additional earthquakes and tsunamis is highest immediately after the initial large earthquake and gradually decreases over time.

The torii gate at the entrance to Yasaka Shrine is seen after it collapsed onto the sidewalk in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture on December 9, 2025, following a 7.5-magnitude earthquake off northern Japan (Jiji/AFP/Getty)

The Japan Times noted that although the one-week period is not based on precise scientific data, it serves as a guideline for increasing vigilance.

Authorities said there is no need to stop daily activities, but residents should double-check their usual earthquake preparedness during this period.

This warning is officially called the “Subsequent Earthquake Advisory Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku.”

Marusha Muzaffar December 10, 2025 at 03:40

Summary: Japan issues warning of huge earthquakes

The Japan Meteorological Agency said Monday's strong earthquake temporarily increased potential risks in the Hokkaido and Sanriku coast regions.

This is where the Pacific plate below Japan forms two trenches – the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench – which have caused many large earthquakes in the past.

Experts say the deadly 2011 earthquake and tsunami was caused by movement linked to the Japan Trench. It extends from the eastern coast of Chiba to Aomori, and the Chishima Trench extends from the eastern coast of Hokkaido to the Northern Islands and the Kuril Islands.

Explaining the warning, the JMA said the 9.0-magnitude earthquake on March 11, 2011, which devastated large swaths of Japan's northern coast, occurred two days after a 7.3-magnitude quake struck in the Japan Trench off the eastern coast of Iwate Island, one of the areas hardest hit in that disaster as well as in Monday's quake.

The 2011 earthquake triggered a tsunami that struck northern coastal cities in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

The tsunami, which reached 15 meters (50 feet) in height in some areas, struck and destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This created profound fears of radiation that persist to this day.

Shahina El-Din December 10, 2025 at 03:00

In pictures: Fires that broke out after the earthquake

A general view shows the site of the fire that broke out after an earthquake in Aomori City on Tuesday.

At least 10 people were reported injured, but there appears to be no major damage after a powerful earthquake rocked northern Japan and generated tsunami waves up to 70 cm high.

A general view shows the site of a fire that broke out after an earthquake in the city of Aomori on December 9, 2025. (Gigi Press/AFP via Getty Images) This aerial photo shows a vehicle sitting on a damaged road in the town of Tohoku, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan, Tuesday, December 9, 2025, following a strong earthquake. (AFP) The damaged wall of a building in Hashinohe in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on December 9, 2025. 2025, following a strong earthquake the night before in this photo taken by Kyodo. (Reuters)

Shahina El-Din December 10, 2025 at 02:30

800 homes were without electricity

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said about 800 homes were without electricity due to the quake.

Furthermore, high-speed shinkansen trains and some local lines were suspended in parts of the region in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The East Japan Railway said bullet trains resumed operation in the area later on Tuesday.

Tohoku Electric Power Co. said power was mostly restored by Tuesday morning.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said about 480 residents took shelter at Hachinohe Air Base and 18 defense helicopters were mobilized to assess the damage.

About 200 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, NHK reported.

The airport operating company said that part of the airport building became unusable on Tuesday after parts of its roof cracked and fell to the ground.

Shahina El-Din December 10, 2025 at 01:30

Is it safe to travel to Japan? Warning of a strong earthquake caused by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake

Shahina El-Din December 10, 2025 00:30

Japan assesses the damage caused by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that injured 34 people

Japan today assessed damage following a late-night 7.5-magnitude earthquake that injured 34 people.

The earthquake also caused minor damage and a tsunami in coastal communities in the Pacific Ocean.

Authorities warned people of possible aftershocks.

Prime Minister Sunny Takaishi told reporters that an emergency task force had been formed to urgently assess the damage. “We put people's lives first and do everything we can,” she said.

At a parliamentary session on Tuesday, Takaishi pledged that the government would continue to do its best and reminded people that they must protect their lives.

Shahina El-Din December 9, 2025 at 23:30

Watch the moment a 7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan. The moment a 7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan

Shahina El-Din December 9, 2025 at 22:30

What is a giant earthquake? Japan issues the first official warning of a disaster that could kill tens of thousands

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a strong earthquake warning, the highest level of earthquake warning, hours after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the country.

Authorities urged residents living near the Pacific coast to remain vigilant throughout the next week and prepare evacuation plans in case they are forced to flee their homes.

At least 33 people were injured in the earthquake that occurred on Monday evening, with waves reaching 70 centimeters in height in several coastal communities.

But what actually is a huge earthquake? Read more here…

Alex Croft, December 9, 2025 at 20:00

Magnitude 6.6 and 5.1 earthquakes were recorded in the hours following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake

Smaller aftershocks continued today in northern and central Japan, hours after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred on Monday evening.

According to the US Geological Survey, a 6.6-magnitude aftershock struck within hours of the initial quake, followed by another 5.1-magnitude aftershock.

In less than 24 hours since the earthquake, at least 10 aftershocks of magnitude 1.5 or higher were recorded in Japan.

Aftershocks were felt across a wide area in northern and central Japan, according to the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation (NHK).

Alex Croft, December 9, 2025 at 19:31

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