A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Japan late Monday night, resulting in injuries to over 20 individuals and sparking initial tsunami warnings that were later downgraded. The tremor occurred at 11:15 p.m. local time, roughly 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

In the immediate aftermath, the agency warned that waves as high as 3 meters could potentially reach Japan’s shores. However, as the hours passed, those warnings were eased to advisories, indicating decreased risks of severe flooding. Observations noted tsunami waves measuring between 20 and 70 centimeters at several locations along the coast, which prompted temporary evacuations in the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.

Following the quake, officials from Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported 23 injuries, with at least one person suffering severe injuries. Many of the casualties occurred due to falling debris, particularly in Hachinohe, where hotel guests were affected. Additional reports highlighted a man injured when his car fell into a sinkhole.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially cautioned that hazardous waves could impact coasts within 1,000 kilometers of the earthquake’s epicenter, affecting both Japan and nearby Russia. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to evacuate to safety whenever a tsunami warning was issued, advising individuals to move to higher ground.

In the wake of the quake, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized the importance of caution, instructing residents to remain vigilant until officials lifted advisories. Approximately 800 households were left without electricity, and around 480 residents found temporary shelter at Hachinohe airbase. Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi announced that 18 helicopters had been dispatched for damage evaluation.

Reports indicated travel disruptions as well. New Chitose airport in Hokkaido saw around 200 passengers stranded overnight, while East Japan Railway suspended some train services in the area. Nuclear facilities in the impacted regions underwent safety inspections, and the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that no abnormalities had been detected at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japan is located along the seismically active Ring of Fire, making it one of the most earthquake-prone nations in the world. It experiences approximately 20 percent of global earthquakes measuring 6.0 magnitude or higher. The country remains vigilant following the catastrophic 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan in March 2011, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.