Overview
- The Japan Meteorological Agency measured a magnitude 7.5–7.6 earthquake at 11:15 p.m. local time off Aomori at a depth of roughly 50–54 km, with “upper 6” intensity recorded in parts of the prefecture.
- Tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate followed observed waves up to about 70 cm, then were downgraded to advisories and lifted by early Tuesday.
- Officials reported dozens of injuries and urged roughly 90,000 coastal residents to evacuate as bullet trains were suspended and localized power outages were reported.
- Regulators said regional nuclear plants showed no abnormalities, and a roughly 450-litre spill at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant did not pose a safety concern.
- The government set up an emergency task force as the JMA issued a special advisory indicating a small, roughly 1-in-100 chance of an M8+ earthquake within seven days.