TOKYO: Japan’s northeast coast was shaken on Friday by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami advisory for several coastal regions.
The earthquake struck off the eastern shores of Aomori prefecture, located in northern Honshu, the country’s largest island, at a depth of 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) at 11:44 a.m. local time, JMA reported. Authorities said coastal areas of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi could experience tsunamis reaching up to one metre (approximately 3.2 feet).
No immediate reports of casualties or structural damage were available, and the advisory is considered a precautionary measure, lower than a full tsunami warning. Residents were urged to remain alert and avoid coastal areas until the advisory is lifted.
The Friday quake comes just days after a stronger 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the same region on Monday. That earlier tremor caused light structural damage, injuries to at least 34 people, and a tsunami measuring over 0.6 metres (2 feet) at Kuji port in Iwate prefecture. Hundreds of homes experienced temporary power outages, which were largely restored by Tuesday.
Following Monday’s quake, Japanese authorities had cautioned about the possibility of aftershocks and a slightly increased risk of an even stronger magnitude-8 earthquake along the northeastern coast stretching from Chiba, near Tokyo, up to Hokkaido. Residents in 182 municipalities were advised to review emergency preparedness measures, with JMA emphasizing that such advisories do not indicate an impending major quake.
Officials continue to monitor seismic activity closely and have asked the public to stay informed of updates through official channels.
