Earthquake hits Northern Japan

Northern Japan was rocked by a powerful earthquake registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.4, as reported by NHK, the public broadcaster. The tremor struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture at approximately 4:10 pm local time (07:10 GMT).

In response, the Japan Meteorological Agency promptly issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas in Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures. Urgent instructions were broadcasted via NHK, directing all residents to evacuate immediately to higher ground. The warning highlighted the potential threat of towering waves reaching up to 5 meters (16.5 feet) in height.

The earthquake triggered concerns for the safety of infrastructure, including Hokuriku Electric Power’s nuclear power plants. The company announced it was conducting thorough checks to detect any irregularities following the seismic event.

The situation remains tense as authorities and residents brace for potential aftershocks and closely monitor the coastal regions for any signs of tsunami activity.