Introduction
Japan's northern region continues recovery efforts after a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori. Authorities have released updated assessments on injuries, infrastructure damage, tsunami activity, and ongoing safety cautions from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
1. Casualties and Immediate Impact
Injuries
At least 33 people have been reported injured, with one person in serious condition. Most injuries resulted from falling objects during the strong seismic shaking.
Evacuations
Initial Tsunami Warnings prompted tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
Approximately 480 evacuees sought shelter at Hachinohe Air Base as a precaution.
Infrastructure Damage
- Power Outages: Around 800 homes initially experienced power loss, though electricity was restored to most areas by the next morning.
- Transportation: The Tohoku Shinkansen partially suspended operations for safety checks but later resumed. Some local rail services remain halted.
- Structural Damage: Cracks in roadways, isolated fires, and minor structural impacts were confirmed, including damage to parts of a regional airport terminal.
2. Tsunami Activity and Updated Advisories
Tsunami Waves
The earthquake triggered small tsunami waves along Japan’s Pacific coast.
The largest wave recorded was 70 cm (2 ft 4 in) at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture. Smaller waves reached other nearby coastal communities.
Advisories Lifted
By early Tuesday morning, all Tsunami Warnings and Advisories were officially lifted after several hours of monitoring.
“Megaquake” Alert
In a rare move, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a post-earthquake caution, warning that the region faces a slightly increased risk of a magnitude 8-level quake in the coming week.
The warning covers coastal areas from Chiba to Hokkaido, urging residents to stay alert and review emergency plans.
3. Nuclear Facilities: No Major Issues Reported
Government officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed no significant damage at nuclear power plants, including the Fukushima Daiichi facility.
A minor incident occurred at the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing plant, where approximately 450 liters of water spilled from a spent fuel cooling system. The water level remained within a safe and normal range, posing no radiation or safety risk.
4. Ongoing Government Response
Emergency Actions
The Japanese government activated a task force at the Prime Minister’s office to coordinate:
- Damage assessment
- Search-and-rescue operations
- Emergency transportation restoration
- Support for affected communities
The Prime Minister emphasized that protecting human life remains the top priority.
Aftershocks
The region continues to experience aftershocks, and the JMA warns that stronger tremors remain possible in the coming days.
Authorities are focused on fully restoring transportation networks, assessing structural impacts, and ensuring continued public safety.
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