An Indian woman living in Tokyo has described the frightening moments she experienced when a strong 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Japan on Monday evening.
In a video, she recalls the intensity of the tremors, saying in Hindi, “Itna tez earthquake tha ki meri toh jaan hi chali gayi thi, kyonki vo ruk hi nahi raha tha.” She later showed her residential complex and noted that none of the local residents had stepped outside. According to her, people in Japan have deep trust in the structural strength of their buildings and believe they remain safe even during severe quakes.
Tsunami Waves Hit Northern Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that tsunami waves reached several parts of northern Japan following the earthquake.
- Waves were recorded in the town of Urakawa in Hokkaido and at the port of Mutsu Ogawara in Aomori.
- A 50-centimetre wave hit Kuji port in Iwate prefecture, while multiple coastal areas observed waves ranging from 40 to 50 centimetres.
Earlier, authorities had issued warnings that waves up to three metres could strike the northeastern coastline. The alert covered the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate, all of which experienced strong shaking during the quake.
Injuries Reported Amid Widespread Shaking.
Local media reported that several people sustained injuries across the affected regions. Public broadcasters stated that multiple injuries occurred at a hotel in Hachinohe in Aomori prefecture.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the quake at a depth of 53.1 kilometres at 14:15 UTC, with its epicentre located northeast of Misawa in northern Japan. The tremors were felt across large parts of Japan’s north and east, prompting tsunami alerts in coastal regions.
Government Response and Safety Measures.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of an emergency task force to assess the damage and oversee relief efforts. She emphasised that public safety remains the government’s highest priority and assured that all necessary measures are being taken to support affected residents.
As a precaution, East Japan Railway suspended several train services across the region. Japan, located on the seismically active Ring of Fire, experiences nearly 20% of the world’s major earthquakes and maintains extensive preparedness protocols.
Recent Context.
This incident comes amid a period of increased global seismic activity, including an 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia’s Kamchatka region in July, which produced tsunami waves across nearby countries. Japan continues to stay on high alert, drawing on lessons from the devastating 2011 megathrust earthquake and tsunami.
