7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Japan Tsunami Warnings Grip Northern Coast

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off Japans northeastern coast on December 8 2025 at 11:15 p.m. local time 1415 UTC sending shockwaves through Aomori Prefecture and triggering urgent tsunami warnings across multiple regions. Centered approximately 80 km offshore near Sanriku at a depth of 50 km the quake registered upper 6 on Japans Shindo intensity scale in Hachinohe strong enough to topple heavy furniture and make standing impossible.​

The Japan Meteorological Agency JMA immediately issued tsunami alerts for Hokkaido Aomori and Iwate prefectures warning of waves up to 3 meters 10 feet high along the northeastern coastline. Initial reports confirmed tsunamis of 4070 cm hitting ports like Urakawa in Hokkaido and Mutsu Ogawara in Aomori with advisories extending to Miyagi and Fukushima. Evacuation orders reached about 90000 residents as authorities urged people to head to higher ground.​

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi convened an emergency response with Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru confirming the strongest tremors in Hachinohe. NHK reported multiple injuries at a hotel in Aomori and officials are assessing nuclear facilities amid Japans history of seismic risks near plants. A 5.5 magnitude aftershock followed at 11:33 p.m. heightening fears of further activity.​

Japans location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it prone to such events this quake echoes the devastating 2011 Tohoku disaster 9.0 magnitude in the same region. No immediate deaths or widespread structural damage have been confirmed but shaking was felt as far as Tokyo lasting over 30 seconds. Seismologists warn of potential aftershocks and ongoing tsunami risks with the USGS monitoring for magnitude revisions.​

As rescue teams mobilize and coastal areas remain on high alert the quake underscores Japans worldclass preparedness from early warning systems to earthquake resistant infrastructure. Updates continue as damage assessments unfold.