A potent earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck central Japan, prompting urgent evacuation warnings for its west coast. The seismic event triggered waves of approximately 1m (3 feet) along parts of the Sea of Japan coast, with authorities cautioning about the potential for larger waves.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama, reminiscent of the significant 2011 earthquake and tsunami. While a major tsunami warning was initially declared for Ishikawa, it was later downgraded. The quake resulted in building destruction, power outages in thousands of homes, and disruption to regional travel.
Army units have been deployed for rescue operations, and authorities are assessing the extent of the damage. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged residents to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks and advised those in tsunami-affected areas to evacuate promptly. As seismic activity continues in the region, further strong quakes are anticipated in the coming days, according to JMA officials.
