Japan warns of possible stronger earthquake after 7.7-magnitude offshore quake triggers evacuations

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Tokyo: Japanese authorities have warned that a stronger earthquake could strike within the next week after a powerful 7.7-magnitude quake hit off the country’s north-eastern coast, briefly triggering tsunami warnings and large-scale evacuations.

The quake struck in waters off Iwate prefecture on Monday at a depth of around 10km, prompting authorities to issue warnings of possible tsunami waves up to 3 metres. More than 170,000 people along parts of Japan’s eastern coastline were advised to move to higher ground or evacuation shelters.

Although tsunami waves eventually measured up to 80cm and all warnings were later lifted, the Japan Meteorological Agency said there remains an elevated risk of another major quake—possibly magnitude 8.0 or higher—over the coming days. Officials cautioned that any new tremor could generate stronger shaking and larger waves.

Some coastal disruption was reported, including temporary train suspensions, power outages affecting around 100 homes, and precautionary evacuations. No major damage or injuries have been confirmed, and transport services have since resumed.

Japan, located on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent earthquakes. The latest warning has revived memories of the devastating 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 18,000 people and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.