Following the powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck off Japan’s northern coast late Monday evening, December 8, Japanese authorities are conducting damage assessments.
Authorities report that nearly 33 people were injured and triggered a tsunami advisory.
The quake, centered in the Pacific Ocean about 80 km from Aomori Prefecture, shook the northern region of Honshu island just after 1 p.m. 23.15 local time.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake measured a magnitude of 7.6 and said the epicenter occurred 44 kilometers (27 miles) below the surface. AP reports.
A tsunami of up to 70 centimeters was recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture, where waves damaged coastal oyster rafts.
To address the damage, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters an emergency task force had been formed, saying: “We put people’s lives first and do everything we can.”
She asked residents to be alert for aftershocks, one of which registered a magnitude of 6.7 on Tuesday morning, December 9.
While tsunami warnings were downgraded to warnings, coastal evacuation orders were issued for several prefectures.
A high-speed rail line suspended operations, and officials confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii or Guam.
The powerful earthquake prompted caution in Fukushima Prefecture, the site of the 2011 nuclear disaster.
