Overview
- Japan’s meteorological agency reported a magnitude 7.6 quake at about 23:15 local time, centered roughly 80 kilometers off Aomori at a depth near 50 kilometers.
- Tsunami alerts covered Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, prompting evacuations as rail services were suspended and power outages were logged in parts of Aomori.
- The alerts were downgraded and then lifted after measured waves remained modest, peaking around 70 centimeters at Kuji, 50 centimeters at Urakawa and about 40 centimeters at Mutsu Ogawara.
- Officials reported multiple injuries, with tallies in the tens in early updates, and some initial reports noted people unaccounted for as assessments continued.
- Nuclear operators and regulators said checks at facilities including Onagawa and the Fukushima Daiichi site found no irregularities, and experts warned of possible strong aftershocks in the coming days.