A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook northern Japan late Monday, leaving at least 30 people injured and prompting tens of thousands to flee their homes as emergency crews scrambled to assess the damage.

The tremor struck at 23:15 local time, with its epicentre located about 80km off Aomori’s coastline at a depth of 50km, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
Tsunami alerts were immediately issued, and small waves — peaking at 70cm — were recorded before warnings were lifted.

Transport Disruptions and Power Cuts Spread Across the Region

The quake caused widespread blackouts, with the Aomori prefectural government confirming power loss in around 2,700 homes.
Several train lines operated by East Japan Railway were halted along the northeastern coastline as a precaution.

Local authorities said more than 90,000 residents were ordered to evacuate, relocating to shelters or higher ground as aftershocks continued to shake the region.

Government Urges Vigilance as Aftershocks Expected

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to prioritise safety and stay alert for additional tremors.

“Review your earthquake preparedness and be ready to evacuate immediately if you sense any shaking,” she said in a televised address.

Seismologists have warned that strong aftershocks may continue for at least a week, advising people to stay away from unstable structures and coastal areas.

Emergency Response Teams Mobilised

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed that an emergency response office had been activated at the Prime Minister’s crisis management centre.

“We are fully committed to damage assessment, rescue operations, and providing immediate relief to affected communities,” Kihara noted.

Nuclear Facilities Report No Irregularities

Tohoku Electric Power Co. said its Higashidori and Onagawa nuclear power plants reported no signs of irregular activity following the quake.
Authorities also confirmed that the Fukushima Daiichi plant, crippled in the 2011 triple disaster, showed no abnormalities and that updates had been relayed to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Japan’s Earthquake Risk Remains High

Japan, located along the volatile Ring of Fire, experiences nearly 1,500 earthquakes every year.
Experts have repeatedly warned of the likelihood of a major event along the Nankai Trough, with government panels estimating a 60–90% chance of a megaquake within the next 30 years.

Such a scenario could cause trillions of dollars in damage and potentially claim hundreds of thousands of lives, according to official studies.