Japan issues tsunami advisory after 7.6 magnitude earthquake disrupts operations, injures many

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The Japanese government on Monday issued a Tsunami warning after a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit the northeast region of the country.

However, a few hours later, upon assessing the situation, the governmnet downgraded the warning to an advisory.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially had said a tsunami as high as 3 metres (10ft) could hit Japan’s north-eastern coast after the earthquake struck off the coast at 11.15pm (2.15pm GMT).

Tsunami warnings were issued for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate, and tsunamis from 20 to 70cm (7 to 27in) high were observed at several ports, JMA said, according to a report by the Guardian.

The warnings were, however, later changed to advisories, suggesting that the weather department was seeing lower estimated wave heights and less risk of inundation, the report further said.

According to NHK, Japan's national television network, Satoshi Kato, a vice principal of a public high school in Hachinohe said that he was at home when the quake struck, and that glasses and bowls fell and smashed into shards on the floor.

He also said that following the quake, he drove to the school as it was a designated evacuation centre. He added that the quake triggered a lot of traffic jams as well and car accidents on the way.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted a precautionary message on the social media platform, X.

“To residents in areas where the shaking was strong, for the next week or so, please pay close attention to information from the Japan Meteorological Agency and local governments, and ensure that you secure furniture, reconfirm your daily earthquake preparedness, and prepare to evacuate immediately if you feel shaking. We extend our heartfelt condolences to those who were injured in the earthquake," the PM said.

Meanwhile, reports said that several people were injured during the strong earthquake and the exact number is yet to be calculated.