Major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits off Japan, tsunami warning issued
- Last updated: April 20, 2026 | 12:19
A television screen shows a news report on Japan Meteorological Agency's tsunami warning, saying it expected tsunami waves of up to 3 meters (9.84 feet) to reach large coastal areas in northern Japan after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan, in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday. Reuters
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Monday afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
It warned of a tsunami as high as 3 metres (9.84 ft) in Iwate, Aomori and Hokkaido prefecturs.
The tremor had an epicentre in the Pacific Ocean and was 10 km deep, according to the JMA.
The quake measured an 'upper 5' on Japan's seismic intensity scale -- strong enough to make it difficult for people to move around. In many cases, unreinforced concrete-block walls collapse.
Reuters