Japan assessed damage and warned of potential aftershocks Tuesday following a late-night 7.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Aomori, northern Honshu. At least 33 people were injured, one seriously, mostly from falling objects, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported.
The quake struck around 11:15 p.m., about 80 kilometers offshore, at a depth of 44 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A tsunami measuring up to 70 centimeters hit Kuji port in Iwate prefecture, with smaller waves along the northern Pacific coast. The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted all tsunami advisories by 6:30 a.m.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced an emergency task force to assess damage, saying the government would prioritize citizens’ safety. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reported around 800 homes lost power temporarily, and Shinkansen bullet trains along with local lines were suspended but are expected to resume later Tuesday.
About 480 people sheltered at Hachinohe Air Base, and 18 defense helicopters were deployed for damage checks. At New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, 200 passengers were stranded overnight due to ceiling damage in part of the domestic terminal. The Nuclear Regulation Authority reported a minor spill at the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing plant but confirmed safety levels remained normal.
The Japan Meteorological Agency cautioned residents in 182 municipalities along the northeastern coast—from Chiba to Hokkaido—to remain vigilant for aftershocks and possible tsunamis. Officials noted a slight increase in the risk of a magnitude 8-level quake in the coming days.
The region lies near the area devastated by the 2011 magnitude 9.0 quake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Smaller aftershocks continued Tuesday, including magnitude 6.6 and 5.1 tremors, highlighting the ongoing seismic risk.