Northern Japan Struck by Major Earthquake, Triggers Tsunami Warning

A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook northern Japan, injuring at least 23 people and triggering a tsunami that prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands along the Pacific coast.

Quick Facts at a Glance

The Earthquake and Immediate Tsunami Threat

The earthquake struck late on Monday night, December 8, 2025, with strong shaking lasting for about 30 seconds. The tremor was felt hundreds of miles away, including in the capital, Tokyo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency immediately issued a tsunami warning for the Pacific coasts of Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido prefectures, forecasting waves as high as 3 meters (10 feet). Authorities urged residents in these areas to evacuate immediately to higher ground or designated shelters. Evacuation orders and advisories were issued for over 30,000 people.

The initial tsunami waves began reaching the coast shortly after, with the highest observed wave of 70 cm (28 inches) recorded at Kuji port in Iwate Prefecture. While significantly smaller than the worst-case forecasts, officials cautioned that subsequent waves could be larger and urged people to stay away from the coast.

Impact and Damage Assessment

The violent shaking caused injuries and localized damage across the affected northern regions.

Injuries: At least 23 people were injured, according to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Most injuries were caused by falling objects. Incidents included several people hurt at a hotel in Hachinohe city and a man whose car fell into a hole in the town of Tohoku.
Physical Damage: Reports from the hardest-hit areas, like Hachinohe in Aomori, detail shattered windows, damage to restaurant interiors, ground heaves, and at least two fire incidents. The shaking caused power outages affecting thousands of homes and suspended high-speed rail services.
Nuclear Safety Check: Authorities reported no abnormalities at nuclear power plants in the region. A minor water spill occurred at the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing plant in Aomori, but officials stated it posed no safety risk.

Ongoing Seismic Risk and Official Response

Aftershocks have continued to rattle the region, including one measured at magnitude 5.8. The JMA has issued a rare "Subsequent Earthquake Advisory," warning that the probability of a much larger, magnitude 8-level "megaquake" occurring along the Japan Trench in the coming week is higher than normal, though still low overall. Residents in 182 municipalities have been urged to review their emergency preparedness.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi established an emergency task force, stating, "We are putting people's lives first and doing everything we can". The government's response included mobilizing defense helicopters for damage assessment and providing shelter for evacuees at facilities like the Hachinohe Air Base.

Context: Japan's Seismic Reality

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where several tectonic plates converge. The nation experiences about 1,500 noticeable tremors each year.

This latest quake struck just north of the area devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. That magnitude 9.0 quake and the massive tsunami it generated caused nearly 20,000 deaths and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The memory of that catastrophe heavily influences Japan's swift and cautious disaster response protocols today.

The event also follows another significant quake that hit the country on New Year's Day 2024, a magnitude 7.6 tremor on the Noto Peninsula that was the deadliest in Japan since 2011.

To Learn More

Japan itself is a global leader in disaster response. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) operates a robust Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) system, deploying medical, rescue, and expert teams worldwide in the wake of major disasters.

For the most current and official updates on the December 2025 earthquake, it is best to follow announcements from the Japan Meteorological Agency and Japan's public broadcaster, NHK.

While this quake was far less devastating than the tragic 2011 disaster, it is a stark reminder of the ever-present seismic forces shaping Japan. The rapid public warnings, orderly evacuations, and swift official response highlight the hard lessons learned from past catastrophes, demonstrating a society continually striving to build resilience in the face of nature's immense power.

Magnitude 7.5 Quake Hits Northern Japan, Triggers Tsunami Warning