A powerful earthquake struck northern Japan on Monday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning and urge residents to evacuate coastal areas.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the 7.4-magnitude quake hit at 4:53 p.m. local time off Iwate prefecture, shaking buildings as far as Tokyo.
“Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to higher ground,” the agency said, warning that tsunami waves of up to three metres could follow.
“Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted,” it added.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a crisis management team had been activated as officials worked to assess possible casualties and damage.
“For those in affected areas, please move to higher, safer places,” she said.
Initial footage from public broadcaster NHK showed no immediate damage in some coastal areas, but authorities warned the situation could change.
Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiences frequent earthquakes, though most are minor.
However, past disasters have underscored the risks, including the 2011 quake and tsunami that killed thousands and triggered a nuclear crisis.
Authorities said monitoring remains ongoing as they track tsunami activity and potential aftershocks.
