December 9, 2025 | 11:25 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A powerful Magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northern Japan late Monday, December 8, 2025. The tremor occurred off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture at 11:15 p.m., according to reports from NHK.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially estimated the earthquake's epicenter, located off the Pacific coast of Aomori, at 7.6 magnitudes but later revised it down to 7.5 magnitudes. The depth was also adjusted to 54 kilometers from an initial estimate of 50 kilometers.
Tsunami waves were observed at several locations: a 70-centimeter wave was recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate; a 50-centimeter wave was observed in Urakawa City, Hokkaido; and a 40-centimeter wave was observed at Mutsuogawara Port in Aomori Prefecture.
More than three hours after the initial event, authorities downgraded the warning to a Tsunami Advisory, and all advisories for the northern Japanese Pacific coast were subsequently canceled at 6:20 a.m. on Tuesday
The Japanese government moved swiftly, establishing a task force at the crisis management center in the prime minister's office at 11:16 p.m. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived shortly after 11:50 p.m.
Takaichi instructed the government to promptly provide information regarding the tsunami and evacuation orders to the public, take comprehensive measures to prevent further hazards, including resident evacuation, and assess the level of damage as quickly as possible.
"The central government will work closely with local governments and make the utmost effort to carry out measures, such as emergency response, including rescue for the affected people," she was quoted as saying by NHK.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara held a press conference on Tuesday, confirming that the government is still assessing the full extent of the damage. He emphasized that all efforts are focused on disaster prevention measures, with rescue and assistance prioritized and led by the police, fire department, Self-Defense Forces, and the Japan Coast Guard.
The Prime Minister confirmed, as quoted by Antara, that 30 people were injured as a result of the earthquake.
The earthquake occurred along the trench off the coast of Hokkaido and northeast Japan. This area has been under government monitoring as a potential source of major earthquakes due to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath Honshu Island. Authorities estimate that similar or even stronger earthquakes could occur along this Pacific coast trench in the future.
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