Japan issued a tsunami advisory for its northern coastal areas following a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake near the Chishima trough. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake occurred off the coast of Sanriku around 4:53 p.m. local time, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers.
Officials stressed the advisory is not a prediction but advised residents to heighten preparedness, such as gathering emergency supplies. Tsunami waves of up to 80 centimeters were detected in the Iwate prefecture. The U.S.-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicated the immediate tsunami threat has passed.
Over 128,000 residents in four northern prefectures received non-binding evacuation advisories. So far, no significant damages or injuries have been reported. Nuclear power facilities in the region remain operational with no detected abnormalities.
Authorities cautioned against possible aftershocks. This event follows a similar advisory issued in December after another major quake, which did not result in a significant subsequent event.