A large earthquake struck near Japan’s east coast late Monday night local time, triggering tsunami waves and injuring several people nearby.
The quake was given a preliminary rating of 7.6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The 27-mile-deep tremor was located just off the coast of the city of Misawa in Aomori Prefecture.
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The earthquake was recorded at 11:15 p.m. local time (9:15 a.m. EST). Japan’s Meteorological Agency said tsunami waves up to 10 feet could strike coastlines near the epicenter within an hour. So far, the largest tsunami waves to hit Japan’s coast measured about 20 inches, JMA also said.
Hachinohe and Aomorishi were the largest nearby cities that likely felt strong shaking from the quake, with moderate shaking likely felt in Sapporo.
An advisory reading “Tsunami! Run!” (top) and “Tsunami warning issued for central Hokkaido’s Pacific Coast” flashes over the live footage of a shore on a television screen in Sapporo, in Japan’s northern Hokkaido prefecture, early Dec. 9, 2025.
(Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP via Getty Images)
According to public broadcaster NHK, as reported by the Associated Press:
– Injuries were reported at a hotel in Hachinohe.
– A man in Tohoku was hurt when his car fell into a hole.
– Safety checks were underway at nuclear power plants in the region.
A basinwide tsunami was not expected, according to the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, meaning there was no danger for the U.S. West Coast or Hawaii.
This is a developing story; please check back frequently for updates.
