Japan jolted by 6.5 earthquake just a day after major 7.5 tremor and tsunami warning

Japan’s northern region was rattled once again on Wednesday after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Hokkaido, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake, recorded at a depth of 57 km, came less than 48 hours after a powerful 7.5-magnitude tremor shook northeastern Japan late Monday, prompting widespread evacuation orders and tsunami warnings.

No reports of major damage or casualties were available so far. Emergency teams are monitoring the situation as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.

Monday night’s offshore quake, which struck at 11.15 pm near Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 54 km, initially triggered tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate. Authorities warned that waves up to 3 metres could hit the northeastern coastline. Ports



later reported smaller waves between 20 and 70 cm, and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) downgraded warnings to advisories in the early hours of Tuesday.

The shaking was severe in parts of Aomori, with Hachinohe city recording an “upper 6” on Japan’s 1–7 seismic intensity scale, a level at which standing becomes impossible and heavy furniture can topple. Public broadcaster NHK reported several injuries, and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi later confirmed seven people had been hurt, though all were conscious.

Train services were temporarily suspended by East Japan Railway, and hundreds of households experienced power outages. Utilities reported no irregularities at nuclear plants in the region.

JMA officials cautioned that the risk is far from over.