Japan Orders Mass Evacuations After Powerful 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes the Northeast

Japan was shaken Monday night after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the country’s northeast, injuring more than 20 people and triggering tsunami waves that sent tens of thousands scrambling for safety.

Authorities issued evacuation orders for nearly 90,000 residents across coastal areas after tsunami warnings were activated for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures. The warnings were later downgraded, but not before waves between 20cm and 70cm (7–27 inches) crashed into ports along the Pacific coastline.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a 70cm tsunami at Kuji port in Iwate and waves up to 50cm in nearby communities. Officials warned residents to remain alert despite the downgraded advisories.

Dozens Injured as Buildings Shook and Objects Fell

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed 23 injuries, including one in serious condition. Many were struck by falling objects as the quake violently rattled homes and buildings.

Public broadcaster NHK reported several injuries at a hotel in Hachinohe, while a man in the Tohoku region was hurt after his car plunged into a hole caused by the quake.

CCTV footage broadcast nationwide showed shelves collapsing, debris scattering, and people scrambling for cover as the seismic tremors struck.

Chaos on the Roads as Residents Fled

Satoshi Kato, a vice-principal from Hachinohe, told NHK he was at home when the quake hit, sending glasses and dishes crashing to the floor.
He immediately drove to his school—an official evacuation site—only to encounter traffic jams and multiple accidents as frightened residents attempted to flee coastal areas.

At Hachinohe airbase, 480 people were sheltering overnight, while the Defense Ministry deployed 18 helicopters to survey damage across the region.

NHK added that roughly 200 passengers were stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido.

Epicenter and Seismic Intensity

Officials said the quake’s epicenter was about 80km (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori prefecture.

On Japan’s seismic scale of 1 to 7, the quake measured an “upper six” in parts of Aomori—an intensity strong enough to knock people off their feet, topple heavy furniture, shatter windows, and cause widespread structural damage.

Several rail services operated by East Japan Railway were suspended, echoing memories of the catastrophic 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Power Outages Reported, but No Nuclear Concerns

Utility companies Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power reported no abnormalities at regional nuclear power plants.
However, Tohoku Electric confirmed that thousands of homes were left without power following the quake.

Japan’s Earthquake Reality

Japan experiences more seismic activity than almost any country on Earth—accounting for around 20% of global quakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher.
Its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a vast chain of volcanoes and oceanic trenches, makes tremors a near-daily reality.