Japan Warns of Possible Stronger Earthquakes After 7.7 Magnitude Quake Triggers Tsunami Alert

Officials in Japan have issued a fresh warning over the risk of a “huge” earthquake in the coming days after a powerful 7.7 magnitude quake struck off the country’s north-east coast, prompting tsunami alerts and mass evacuations.

The undersea earthquake, which occurred off Iwate Prefecture, about 530km from Tokyo, led authorities to order thousands of residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground amid fears of tsunami waves as high as three metres.

Although the largest waves recorded reached about 80cm and warnings were later lifted, Japan’s Meteorological Agency cautioned that the situation remains unstable. Officials warned that stronger quakes — potentially reaching magnitude 8.0 or higher — could occur within the next week, increasing the likelihood of more dangerous tsunami activity.

Tremors from the quake were felt across wide areas, including Honshu and Hokkaido, where evacuation alerts remained in place for hours after the initial impact. More than 170,000 people were reportedly affected by the emergency measures.

Despite the scale of the event, authorities confirmed there were no immediate reports of major casualties or widespread destruction, though some disruptions were recorded, including temporary power outages and affected train services.

Japan, located along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent earthquakes and remains particularly sensitive to tsunami threats. The latest warnings have revived memories of the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which claimed over 18,000 lives and triggered a nuclear crisis.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, follow official guidance, and be prepared for possible aftershocks or stronger seismic activity in the days ahead.