A massive earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude was felt along the northeast coast of Japan in the evening. Tsunami warnings and evacuations were immediately issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), following the tremors which occurred at precisely 4:53 p.m. local time. The epicenter of the quake was identified in the waters of the Pacific off the coast of Iwate Prefecture.
Emergency broadcast channel NHK immediately aired Its special reports, with red flashing warning lights appearing on screen. They called for immediate evacuation in the provinces of Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido, stating that tsunami waves measuring up to 3 meters, or around 10 feet in height, may possibly flood shorelines. Small waves had reportedly already formed at parts of the Sanriku coast.
Emergency Response and Impact
The Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has informed the public that an emergency task force will be mobilized in the Kantei premises.
Transport: Bullet trains operated by the East Japan Railway were halted along the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Aomori due to the disaster.
Infrastructure: At the moment, TEPCO, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, is keeping an eye on nuclear plants in the area, even the defunct Fukushima Daiichi facility, but so far there have been no reports of any abnormalities.
Seismic intensity: The earthquake recorded a “Strong 5” on the Japan earthquake scale in certain regions; it was intense enough to cause cracks in walls and make it impossible for people to stand on their feet.
Nation in High Alert Mode
The fact that the earthquake hit when the work week was drawing to a close, sent shock waves throughout skyscrapers even in Tokyo. Many recalled the tragic memory of the Great East Japan Earthquake back in 2011.
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