A powerful earthquake, measuring 7.5 magnitude, struck western Japan on Monday afternoon, causing extensive damage, fires, and prompting tsunami warnings as far as eastern Russia. The quake hit the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometers, triggering immediate tsunami alerts along the western Japanese coast. The first waves, reported just over 10 minutes later, reached around 1.2 meters in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa. The Defense Ministry dispatched 1,000 military personnel for rescue efforts, with reports of damaged buildings and injuries in Suzu city.
Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued a "major tsunami warning" for Noto but later downgraded it to a "tsunami warning." Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged evacuation in affected areas. The quake disrupted services of Shinkansen bullet trains, and over 32,500 homes in Ishikawa lost power. Nuclear plants reported no abnormalities, though the Shika nuclear power plant's power converter was affected.
The earthquake was followed by strong aftershocks, including a 6.2 magnitude aftershock. Japan's weather agency warned of potential aftershocks for days, cautioning against building collapses and landslides. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida established a disaster response HQ and emphasized assessing damages while prioritizing human lives.
Tsunami waves were reported along Japan's western coast, and a tsunami threat extended to eastern Russian cities. The South Korean Meteorological Administration monitored sea level changes, and no evacuations were reported in Russian areas facing the Sea of Japan. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing rescue efforts and assessments in progress.
