Japanese authorities continued damage assessments Tuesday and warned residents to expect aftershocks after a late-night 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori, causing injuries, light structural damage and a small tsunami along Pacific coastal communities in Tohoku.
Casualties and Immediate Response
Officials reported at least 33 people were injured, one critically, with most hurt by falling objects, public broadcaster NHK said. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said an emergency task force was formed to quickly assess the situation and coordinate relief.
"We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can," Prime Minister Takaichi told reporters.
Quake Details and Tsunami
The quake struck at about 11:15 p.m., roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) off the Aomori coast. The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the quake at magnitude 7.5, while the U.S. Geological Survey recorded it as magnitude 7.6 at a depth of approximately 44 kilometers (27 miles).
The JMA measured a tsunami of up to 70 centimeters (2 ft 4 in) at Kuji port in Iwate Prefecture and reported waves up to 50 centimeters at other coastal locations. Some oyster rafts were reported damaged by the surge. All tsunami advisories were lifted by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Infrastructure, Shelters and Airports
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said around 800 homes lost power and that Shinkansen bullet trains and some local rail lines were temporarily suspended. East Japan Railway aimed to resume bullet train service later Tuesday, and the Tohoku Electric Power Company said power was mostly restored by morning.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said about 480 residents sheltered at Hachinohe Air Base and that 18 Self-Defense Force helicopters were deployed for damage assessment. NHK reported roughly 200 passengers spent the night stranded at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido after part of a terminal ceiling cracked and fell.
Nuclear Facilities
The Nuclear Regulation Authority reported about 450 liters (118 gallons) of water leaked from a spent fuel cooling area at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant in Aomori. The NRA said the water level remained within normal ranges and there was no safety concern; no abnormalities were found at other nuclear plants or spent fuel storage sites.
Aftershocks, Warnings and Context
JMA cautioned residents about likely aftershocks in the coming days and said there is a slight increase in the risk of a roughly magnitude-8-level earthquake and possible tsunami along Japan's northeastern coast from Chiba to Hokkaido. The agency urged people in 182 municipalities in the area to review emergency plans for the coming week, stressing this is a precaution rather than a prediction.
"You need to prepare, assuming that a disaster like that could happen again," JMA official Satoshi Harada said, referring to the 2011 magnitude-9.0 quake and tsunami that devastated parts of the same coastline.
Smaller aftershocks continued Tuesday. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded aftershocks of magnitude 6.6 and later 5.1 in the hours following the main tremor.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to follow official guidance, avoid damaged areas and check on vulnerable neighbors.
