Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level advisory on Tuesday, warning that a megaquake of magnitude 8.0 or greater could follow Monday night’s 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
The powerful tremor struck at 11.15 pm on 8 December in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 50 miles off the coast of Aomori, the northernmost prefecture on Honshu island. At least 33 people sustained injuries. Widespread tsunami warnings triggered evacuations, with waves reaching up to 70 cm in several coastal communities. All tsunami alerts have since been cancelled.
First top-tier alert since 2022
This marks the first activation of the top-tier megaquake advisory since the system launched in 2022. The agency warned that a stronger earthquake along the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench off Hokkaido could generate large tsunamis stretching from Hokkaido to Chiba prefecture.
Authorities urged residents along the Pacific coast to stay vigilant for the next week. They recommended reviewing evacuation routes, securing furniture, and preparing emergency kits with food, water, and portable toilets. No evacuation orders have been issued, but people should be ready to leave their homes if necessary.
🚨 The Japan Meteorological Agency is currently reviewing whether to issue the “Hokkaido–Sanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake Advisory,” which would mean the likelihood of a megaquake in Northern Japan is higher than normal, with this quake possibly acting as a precursor. pic.twitter.com/0qbYNObeGd
— 由仁アリン Arin Yuni (@Arin_Yumi) December 8, 2025
Government calls for preparedness
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the risk of a major earthquake in the Hokkaido to Sanriku offshore region now stands higher than usual. She encouraged citizens to continue normal daily activities while taking sensible disaster-prevention measures and following official updates.
Cabinet Office disaster management director Morikubo Tsukasa emphasised that global seismic data shows an increased possibility – not a certainty – of a larger quake.
Nuclear plants safe, airport disruption
Nuclear power stations in the northeast, including Fukushima Daiichi, reported no irregularities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed normal operation, noting that the temporary pause in treated wastewater release at Fukushima was purely precautionary.
The IAEA has been informed by Japan that there are no abnormalities so far at the Fukushima NPP site following the earthquake and tsunami advisory in Japan; discharge of ALPS treated water has been temporarily suspended at 11:42 pm local time today as a precautionary step. pic.twitter.com/bNJef2nhhW
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) December 8, 2025
Around 200 passengers spent the night at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido due to flight cancellations, delays, and safety checks caused by the earthquake and tsunami warnings.
In Hachinohe, vice principal Satoshi Kato described dishes crashing to the floor at his home. He rushed to his school, which serves as an evacuation centre, but found the building empty despite traffic chaos and accidents on the roads.
Source: Independent
Featured photos: AP News, BBC, CNN
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