According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), a tsunami warning was issued for huge waves up to 10 feet in coastal areas on the northern side of the country after an earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck Japan on Monday, April 20.
The quake occurred at around 4.53 pm (Japanese local time) in Pacific waters off northern Iwate prefecture and the tremor was felt as far as Tokyo, several miles away. Buildings and other infrastructure were shaken in the quake.
"10:50 PM 04-19-2026 - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reports No Tsunami Threat to Hawaii from 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Japan - Off the East Coast of Honshu," said Honolulu Department of Emergency Management in a post on X.
Also Read | 5.9-magnitude earthquake strikes western Indonesia.
As per the meteorological department, the initial tsunami waves could hit the northern shoreline immediately, the weather agency reported. Evacuation order issued to the people staying near the coastal and riverside areas.
"Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted," it said.
Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire".
Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had set up an emergency task force and urged citizens in the affected areas to evacuate to safety. Broadcaster NHK showed ships sailing out of Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in anticipation of the waves, as an alert ‘Tsunami! Evacuate!’ flashed across the screen.
Bullet train services in Aomori at the northern tip of Japan’s main Honshu island were halted due to the tremors, Kyodo news agency reported.
The quake measured an ‘upper 5’ on Japan’s seismic intensity scale — strong enough to make it difficult for people to move around. In many cases, unreinforced concrete-block walls collapse.