Japan Lifts Tsunami Warning After 7.5 Earthquake + Video

When the ground shakes in Japan, the world pays attention.

Late Monday night, as millions of residents prepared to sleep, the earth had a different plan — a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast. Within minutes, alerts lit up phones, sirens echoed across coastal towns, and families scrambled to higher ground.

By Tuesday morning, Japan’s Meteorological Agency lifted all tsunami warnings, but the night left a stark reminder: in a country where the earth moves nearly every five minutes, preparedness is not an option — it’s a way of life.

A Night That Awoke Old Memories

At 11:15 p.m., the quake hit with violent force, its epicenter 80 km off Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 54 km. Residents in Hachinohe experienced a seismic intensity of “upper 6” on Japan’s scale — the kind of shaking where standing becomes impossible and moving means crawling.

For many, it felt eerily familiar.

The region still carries the scars of the catastrophic 2011 Tohoku earthquake, one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history. And for a moment, as the ground roared again, the fear of history repeating itself was unmistakable.

Tsunami Warnings Issued — Then Lifted

Immediately after the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that a tsunami up to 3 meters (10 feet) could strike the northeastern coast. Authorities issued warnings for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, prompting around 90,000 residents to evacuate.

Fortunately, the waves that arrived were far smaller — between 20 and 70 cm.

By early Tuesday, the JMA downgraded the warnings to advisories, before lifting all alerts completely. No major damage was reported.

But the message was clear: remain vigilant.

Government Issues One-Week Mega-Quake Advisory

One of Japan’s most important policy changes after 2011 was recognizing a pattern: major earthquakes in the region often occur in clusters.

Because of this, the government automatically issues a one-week “mega-quake advisory” after any significant tremor.

This week is no exception.

“There is a possibility that further powerful and stronger earthquakes could occur over the next several days,” a JMA official warned.

Residents across northern Japan have been asked to stay alert for aftershocks and potential secondary quakes.

At Least 30 Injured and One Fire Reported

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that:

At least 30 people have been injured,

One fire was reported,

And cleanup efforts began early Tuesday across commercial and residential areas.

Photos from Hachinohe show workers sweeping shattered glass and debris from shopping centers — a familiar post-quake scene in a country accustomed to sudden tremors.

Trains Halt, Power Outages, But Nuclear Plants Stable

The earthquake disrupted transport networks across the region:

East Japan Railway suspended several services,

Other lines faced delays throughout northern areas,

And thousands of homes lost power shortly after the quake.

By morning, electricity had been restored and — critically — officials reported no abnormalities at nuclear plants operated by Tohoku Electric Power and Hokkaido Electric Power.

Given Japan’s painful memory of Fukushima in 2011, this reassurance was one of the most crucial updates of the night.

Markets React: Yen Briefly Weakens

Natural disasters often rattle markets, and this was no exception.

The yen weakened against major currencies right after news of the quake, with both the dollar and euro touching short-term session highs. While financial markets stabilized, the reaction showed how tightly global investors track seismic risks in Japan — one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations.

Japan: A Nation Built on Shaking Ground

Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast chain of fault lines and volcanic activity that accounts for:

20% of the world’s earthquakes above magnitude 6,

And constant seismic activity — sometimes one quake every five minutes.

This unique geography has forced Japan to become a global leader in disaster preparedness, early-warning systems, earthquake-resistant infrastructure, and rapid emergency response.

And once again, these systems proved their worth.

Lessons From 2011 Still Shape Japan Today

The shadow of March 11, 2011 still looms large. That year, a 9.0-magnitude megathrust earthquake unleashed a massive tsunami, killing nearly 20,000 people and causing the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster — the worst nuclear event in 25 years.

One lesser-known detail from that tragedy?

A magnitude-7 quake struck two days before the catastrophic one.

This historic pattern is why today’s advisory matters, and why Japanese authorities take no chances after a major tremor.

A Nation on Alert — But Undoubtedly Prepared

Tuesday’s lifted tsunami warnings are a relief, but not a signal to relax. Communities in northern Japan are inspecting buildings, repairing damage, and preparing for potential aftershocks.

Yet amid the fear, one truth stands strong:

Japan’s resilience is unmatched.

The nation’s ability to respond, evacuate, communicate, and recover — all within hours — continues to set a global standard for disaster readiness.