Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Strikes Northeastern Japan, Triggering Tsunami Warnings Along Pacific Coast
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the Pacific coast ofSanriku, Iwate Prefecture at 4:53 p.m. local time on April 20, prompting tsunami warnings for parts of Iwate Prefecture, Hokkaido, and Aomori. No casualties have been reported so far, but the quake has disrupted Shinkansen services.
According to reports fromReuters,NHK, andKyodo News, a seismic intensity of upper-5 on the Japanese scale was recorded in Aomori Prefecture at approximately 4:53 p.m. local time. No deaths or injuries have been reported yet. The quake has disrupted Shinkansen operations: East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has suspended service on the Tohoku Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. Operators at New Chitose and Sendai airports said airport operations have not been affected.
The earthquake has triggered tsunami warnings. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued tsunami warnings for Iwate Prefecture and parts of Hokkaido and Aomori, with wave heights projected to reach up to 3 meters. Tsunami advisories have also been issued for Hokkaido, Aomori, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, where water levels may rise by up to 1 meter.
An 80-centimeter tsunami wave has struck Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture, with water levels still rising. A 40-centimeter wave was recorded at Miyako Port, also in Iwate. Hachinohe Port in Aomori recorded a 30-centimeter wave, while 20-centimeter waves were observed at Urakawa Town in Hokkaido and Ayukawa in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture.
No abnormalities have been detected at the Fukushima nuclear plants. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has confirmed that both Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini nuclear power plants are operating normally, with no changes in radiation levels around either facility. Tohoku Electric Power Company has also confirmed that the Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant in Aomori and the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant in Miyagi are both unaffected.
本日１６時５３分頃、三陸沖を震源とする地震が発生し、青森で最大震度５強の強い揺れを観測しました。
— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae)April 20, 2026
また、岩手県、北海道太平洋沿岸中部、青森県太平洋沿岸に津波警報が発表されるなどしています。…
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (高市早苗) posted on X that the government has established an "Official Residence Liaison Office" at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister's Office. Takaichi said the government is fully engaged in assessing damage, conducting search and rescue operations, implementing emergency disaster measures, and providing the public with timely and accurate information. （Related： U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian Ship in Gulf of Oman — Will Ceasefire Talks Survive? ｜ Latest ）
Takaichi's post noted that reports indicatecasualties and property damage are still being assessed. She added that detailed updates will continue to be received as disaster response efforts proceed.
