Japan issued a special advisory on Monday warning that the risk of a powerful earthquake potentially magnitude 8.0 or higher, has increased following a strong tremor that struck the country’s north and triggered a tsunami alert.
The quake, measured at magnitude 7.5, shook northern Japan and was strong enough to sway tall buildings in Tokyo, located hundreds of kilometres away. Authorities also warned that tsunami waves could reach heights of up to three metres.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the chances of another major earthquake occurring are currently higher than usual. The agency emphasized that the situation demands heightened vigilance as seismic activity remains elevated.
Japan’s concerns are deeply influenced by the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, a magnitude 9.0 undersea quake that caused widespread destruction, leaving around 18,500 people dead or missing and triggering a nuclear crisis at Fukushima.
In 2024, the JMA issued its first-ever “megaquake” advisory related to the Nankai Trough, an 800-kilometre undersea zone where the Philippine Sea tectonic plate is gradually sliding beneath Japan’s continental plate. Experts warn that a major quake in this region could result in catastrophic consequences, with government estimates suggesting up to 298,000 fatalities and economic losses reaching $2 trillion.
Although the 2024 advisory was lifted after a week, it sparked widespread panic, including stockpiling of essential goods and cancellations of travel plans. A similar alert was issued again in December 2025 after another magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the northern coast.
That December tremor generated tsunami waves of up to 70 centimetres and left over 40 people injured, though it did not result in significant structural damage. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as concerns over a potential large-scale earthquake persist.
Read more: Powerful Earthquake of 7.6 Magnitude Strikes Central Japan
