Japanese authorities issued a tsunami warning on Monday after a severe 7.4 magnitude quake struck the Ishikawa region, located on Honshu’s western coast along the Sea of Japan. Waves anticipated to reach up to five meters prompted widespread alerts as the tremor rippled through the area.
The initial surge, measured at roughly 1.2 meters, arrived in Wajima, a city about 500 kilometers west of Tokyo. Local time was around 16:21 (07:21 UTC) when public broadcasters urged residents to move to higher ground and heed evacuation instructions. NHK activated emergency broadcasts, calling for swift shelter and avoidance of the shoreline.
The Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures reported higher tide levels in several towns, with reported rises ranging from about 0.54 to 0.80 meters.
The earthquake was felt across Tokyo and was centered on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, occurring at 16:10 local time (07:10 UTC) at a shallow depth with a magnitude of 7 on the Japanese scale, which emphasizes destructiveness. The event prompted swift assessment by authorities as aftershocks continued to be monitored.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued warnings and highlighted the likelihood of additional tremors over the coming days, with the overall threat level rising toward severe conditions at times. Alerts were issued for waves up to five meters in Ishikawa and up to three meters in Fukui, Toyama, Hyogo, Niigata, and Yamagata prefectures, forming a comprehensive tsunami advisory for the western coast of Honshu and the northern Kyushu region.
TEPCO, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, reviewed the status of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power facility in Niigata Prefecture, one of the largest in generating capacity. The plant had been offline since 2011 after the northeastern earthquake and tsunami disaster, which caused significant damage and prompted the Fukushima crisis. No major damage was reported at this site or other nuclear facilities across the country at the time.
In response to the developing situation, Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office convened a crisis cabinet to coordinate emergency measures. Officials urged residents to exercise vigilance and evacuate to designated safe areas where needed as warnings remained in effect.
While no confirmed damage figures were available immediately, authorities noted that tens of thousands of homes in Ishikawa and Niigata had experienced effects from the quake and its aftershocks. By late afternoon, a sizable fire broke out in Wajima, and transportation corridors along the west coast faced closures due to structural damage and ongoing safety concerns. Images circulating on social media illustrated significant destruction in some communities near Ishikawa, underscoring the urgency of evacuation and access restrictions while response teams assessed the full impact.
Rail services were suspended in several northern and western coastal areas as responders worked to secure routes and ensure public safety. Continuous monitoring and rapid risk assessment remained the focus for authorities as the region faced aftershocks and potential further waves. [Source: Japan Meteorological Agency; Crisis Management Office of the Prime Minister]”