Japan Releases Tsunami Alerts Following Significant Earthquakes

Following a sequence of earthquakes on Monday, Japan activated tsunami warnings and initiated evacuations along its west coast. The tremors, which began shortly after 4 p.m., included one with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, centered off the coast of Ishikawa and neighboring prefectures.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a significant tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level alerts for the western coast of Honshu and Hokkaido. NHK TV, the Japanese public broadcaster, cautioned that tsunami waves could reach up to 5 meters (16.5 feet) and advised immediate evacuation to higher ground or building tops.

Hours after the first warnings, NHK continued to broadcast alerts due to ongoing tsunami waves and multiple aftershocks in the region.

Government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the urgency of coastal evacuations and reported damage to at least six homes, with people trapped and a fire in Wajima city, Ishikawa Prefecture. Over 30,000 households were without electricity. While no deaths or injuries were confirmed, the situation remained unclear, and the military was assisting with rescue operations.

Media footage showed people fleeing and a fire in a residential area, with images of large pavement cracks. Bullet trains were halted, parts of the highway closed, and some cell phone services disrupted.

The Meteorological Agency warned of potential further major quakes in the area, especially within the next few days, raising concerns about landslides and building collapses.

Takashi Wakabayashi, a convenience store worker in Ishikawa Prefecture, noted an influx of customers stocking up on essentials like water and food.

Tsunami warnings extended to parts of North Korea and Russia, with Russian officials alerting Sakhalin Island’s west coast. South Korea’s weather agency advised eastern coastal towns to monitor sea levels, as later tsunami waves can be larger than initial ones.

The Japanese government established an emergency center to relay information and ensure resident safety. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for immediate evacuation in affected areas.

Japan, known for its seismic activity, experienced a major quake and tsunami in March 2011, leading to nuclear plant meltdowns. Hayashi confirmed that nuclear plants in the affected region reported no irregularities on Monday.