A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 4:53 p.m. local time. Following the quake, tsunami warnings were issued for Aomori Prefecture, Hokkaido, and nearby coastal regions, with authorities warning that waves up to three meters high could hit the shore. Tremors were also felt in Tokyo, where buildings swayed for several minutes.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents to move quickly to safe areas, advising people to avoid rivers and coastal zones and seek higher ground. Japan’s national broadcaster NHK displayed English alerts reading “Tsunami! Evacuate!” and “Don’t turn back” to warn foreign residents and visitors.

The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers. Authorities continued to monitor the situation as precautionary measures remained in place across affected regions.