A tsunami warning and advisory was issued on April 20 for the Pacific coast of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region after a powerful earthquake struck off the Sanriku coast of Tohoku at around 4:52 p.m.
Tsunami as high as three meters were forecast to reach the central part of Hokkaido’s Pacific coast, the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture.
Tsunami of a height of one meter was forecast for the eastern and western Pacific coast of Hokkaido, the Sea of Japan coast of Aomori as well as Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
Tsunami were reported to have reached Hachinohe Port in Aomori, Kuji Port and Miyako city in Iwate Prefecture.
At least 25 municipalities mainly in the Tohoku region issued evacuation instructions to residents.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the estimated magnitude of the offshore earthquake was 7.5 and the focus was about 10 kilometers deep.
Hashikami town in Aomori Prefecture recorded a seismic intensity of an upper 5 on the Japanese scale of 7.
Among the cities that recorded an intensity of lower 5 were Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture; Miyako, Morioka, Ninohe, Hachimantai and Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture; and Tome in Miyagi Prefecture.
In addition, service on the Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori stations was suspended due to the quake.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters that efforts were being made to confirm the extent of damage to humans and buildings.
AloJapan.com