A powerful earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, jolted Ishikawa in central Japan, prompting a tsunami warning and advisories for residents to evacuate immediately. The quake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture at around 4:10 pm local time, triggering concerns of possible aftershocks.
A tsunami of approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet) hit parts of the west coast along the Sea of Japan, and a larger wave was anticipated, according to reports from public broadcaster NHK. The warning urged residents to move to higher ground urgently. Another earthquake warning was issued for Ishikawa.
US and Japanese agencies cautioned that hazardous tsunami waves up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) were possible along the north coast of central Japan within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the quake’s epicenter.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the top government spokesperson, addressed the public in an emergency news conference, stating that authorities were assessing the extent of the damage and advising residents to be prepared for potential additional quakes.
NHK aired footage showing buildings collapsing in Ishikawa, while tremors were felt in the capital Tokyo on the opposite coast. Over 36,000 households in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures reportedly lost power.
Despite the seismic activity, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority stated that no irregularities were confirmed at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan. This includes the active reactors at Kansai Electric Power’s Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui prefecture. The Shika plant in Ishikawa, closest to the quake’s epicenter, had already halted its two reactors before the quake for regular inspection and reportedly saw no impact.
Japan, being one of the most earthquake-prone countries globally, has experienced significant seismic events in the past. Notably, a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011, resulting in substantial casualties, town devastation, and nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. As the situation unfolds, authorities are working to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate potential risks associated with the earthquake and tsunami warnings.