Japan Issues First Megaquake Warning Following 7.5 Quake
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan late Monday, injuring at least 34 people while Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever megaquake warning.
The quake occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. (1415 GMT) on Monday, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori. It was just north of the area where a magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami in 2011 that killed nearly 20,000 people and destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
While there were widespread tsunami warnings following Monday’s quake, they have since been lifted, Independent reported. On Tuesday, Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever top-tier warning of a megaquake of magnitude 8 or higher, covering 800 miles from Chiba to Hokkaido. The advisory, which was the first that the warning system made since its launch in 2022, warned that such a quake would potentially result in 199,000 deaths, 220,000 destroyed buildings, and $198 billion in economic damage.
Although no evacuation routes have been issued to residents, authorities recommend reviewing evacuation routes, securing furniture, and preparing emergency supplies. The warning is expected to last a week.
Per CBN News, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi noted that about 480 residents sought shelter at Hachinohe Air Base, and 18 defense helicopters were deployed for damage assessment. Meanwhile, around 200 passengers were stranded at New Chitose Airport, CBN NHK reported.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters that the government set up an emergency task force to urgently assess the extent of damage.
“We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can,” she said.
Later, she urged residents in the region to listen to their local municipalities for further updates and prioritize their safety.
“Please be prepared so you can immediately evacuate as soon as you feel a tremor,” the prime minister said.
The meteorological agency's earthquake and volcano division official, Satoshi Harada, also stressed the importance of preparation amid natural disasters.
“You need to prepare, assuming that a disaster like that could happen again," Harada said.
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / JOHN SAEKI,NICHOLAS SHEARMAN / Contributor
Originally published December 09, 2025.
