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Japan warns of potential mega-quake on northern coast after 7.5-magnitude temblor
Tsunami waves hit several coastal areas in northern Japan after a major earthquake on Monday (Apr 20).
A television screen shows a news report on Japan Meteorological Agency's tsunami warning, saying it expected tsunami waves of up to 3m to reach large coastal areas in northern Japan after an earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan, in Tokyo, Japan on Apr 20, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Issei Kato)
TOKYO: A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday (Apr 20), prompting authorities to urge residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to 3m were expected.
Two hours after the tremor, which struck at 4.52pm local time, tsunami waves as high as 80cm had been detected. Warnings remained for possible bigger waves at the top of Japan's main Honshu island, and the northern Hokkaido region.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
But big aftershocks may follow. The Japan Meteorological Agency also said there is a 1 per cent chance of a mega-quake occurring on the northern Japanese coast in the next week or so.
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