BUTOLPOST, – Japan was again shaken by a strong earthquake measuring up to magnitude 7.5 on Monday local time, triggering tsunami warnings in a number of northern and northeastern coastal areas of the country.
The earthquake occurred at around 07.52 GMT or 14.52 WIB, with the epicenter being around 71 kilometers from Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, based on data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The Japanese government immediately issued a tsunami warning for the Aomori, Hokkaido and Iwate regions along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Authorities estimate that tsunami waves have the potential to reach a height of up to 3 meters.
“Residents in coastal areas and river basins are asked to immediately evacuate to higher and safer ground,” said the Japanese government’s official warning.
Panic occurred in a number of affected areas, as calls for emergency evacuation were conveyed through various information channels. Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, also asked the public not to delay evacuation for safety.
Even though the earthquake was classified as large, the government confirmed that no abnormal conditions were detected at nuclear power plants in the Aomori and Miyagi regions.
The impact of the earthquake also spread to the transportation sector. Local media reports said the high-speed train service connecting Tokyo with Aomori had been temporarily stopped as a precautionary measure.
Until this news was published, there had been no official reports regarding casualties or damage to infrastructure. However, the authorities are still continuing to carry out monitoring and evaluation in the field.
The situation in Japan is currently still in alert status, especially in coastal areas that have the potential to be affected by tsunami waves.
