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Japan was struck by a new 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, hitting a similar area of the Pacific coast to Monday night’s powerful 7.5-magnitude tremor.
The new quake off Aomori prefecture triggered a fresh tsunami advisory from the Japan Meteorological Agency, which warned of the potential for 1 metre tsunami waves along much of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures.
That advisory was lifted around two hours later, but a number of communities along the coast were evacuated.
The extent of damage or injuries from the new quake wasn’t immediately clear.
Japan had earlier warned of possible aftershocks following Monday’s 7.5-magnitude tremor. Monday night’s earthquake injured at least 51 people and triggered widespread tsunami warnings, with waves of up to 70cm reported in several coastal communities.
On Tuesday, Japan’s weather agency issued its highest-level warning that a megaquake – an earthquake of magnitude 8 or higher – could follow Monday’s powerful tremor. The notice, which remains in place until 16 December, was the first time this top-tier alert has been issued since the warning system was launched in 2022.
More major earthquakes possible off Aomori, says Japanese research institute
A Tohoku University disaster science researcher has warned that more major earthquakes – potentially as strong as magnitude 7 or 8 – could follow Monday’s 7.5 quake off Aomori.
Fumiaki Tomita, associate professor at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science of Japan’s Tohoku University, has urged communities along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba to stay alert for both strong shaking and possible tsunamis.
“Earthquakes with magnitudes of 8 could strike the area (if large-scale slips occur between the two plates),” he warned, according to The Japan Times.
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s megaquake advisory for a possible huge earthquake remains in effect until midnight Tuesday, but the expert said that people should remain prepared even after the advisory expires.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 09:45
No abnormalities at nuclear facilities, Japan’s nuclear regulation authority says
Tohoku Electric Power Company reports that the Higashidori nuclear power plant in Aomori Prefecture and the Onagawa plant in Miyagi Prefecture are operating normally, with no abnormalities detected, NHK Japan reported.
Tokyo Electric Power Company confirmed that Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear plants are stable, with radiation monitoring posts showing no unusual readings after this morning’s 6.7-magnitude earthquake.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority added that there are “no immediate signs of abnormalities” at nuclear facilities in the region affected by the quake.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 09:15
Understanding Japan’s seismic activity and megaquake advisory
Japan sits at the junction of several tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. While earthquakes are common, some of the most powerful and dangerous ones originate from ocean trenches.
Monday’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake in northern Japan has brought attention back to the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench.
A trench earthquake occurs along a deep crack in the ocean floor, called a trench, where one tectonic plate slides beneath another in a process known as subduction.
Over years or decades, stress builds as the plates get stuck.
When that stress is suddenly released, it can produce a powerful megathrust earthquake.
Because these earthquakes occur under the ocean, they often generate tsunamis, which can be extremely large and destructive.
The Japan Trench, off the east coast of Honshu, and the Chishima Trench, off northern Hokkaido and stretching toward the Kuril Islands, are key locations for these events.
A sign displays information about a road closure due to the earthquake on a highway in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan, 9 December 2025, in this photo taken by Kyodo (via REUTERS)
These trenches have produced some of Japan’s most devastating earthquakes, including the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, a magnitude 9.0 megathrust quake that triggered massive tsunamis along the coast.
Historical patterns show that magnitude-7 or higher quakes in these regions can be followed by even larger earthquakes, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA).
This is why Japan established a megaquake advisory system – a special alert to warn residents of northern Japan when the risk of a major trench-type earthquake and tsunami is elevated.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 08:45
What might happen if a major trench earthquake strikes
The Japanese authorities have put in place a megaquake advisory after a magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck northern Japan.
It warns that the chances of a huge earthquake of magnitude 8 or higher are greater for roughly a week after Monday night’s sizeable tremor.
A post on the Japan Meteorological Agency website provides some projections for what the impact might be if a particularly large megaquake strikes an ocean trench off Japan.
It says a megaquake of the highest class is an extremely rare event, occurring “once every thousand years or even less frequently”.
The damage and casualties caused would vary depending on the season, time of day, and weather conditions.
The forecasts show that Hokkaido could face tsunamis between 10 and 20 metres, with Erimo Town possibly seeing nearly 30 metres. Western Hokkaido areas like Tomakomai and Hakodate might get around 10 metres.
A worker clears debris at a shopping centre damaged by the earthquake in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, on 9 December 2025 (JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)
In Aomori, Hachinohe could experience tsunamis over 25 metres, while the Pacific coasts of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima might see 10–30 metres.
The strongest shaking is expected in Hokkaido, with Akkeshi Town possibly reaching intensity 7 (on the Japan earthquake intensity scale that runs from 0 to 7), and areas east of Erimo reaching 6+.
Northern Honshu, including the Pacific coasts of Aomori and southern Iwate, could also feel 6+ intensity shaking.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 08:15
Timeline of events since Monday’s earthquake
A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan.
Tsunami warnings were issued for coastal Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.
Observed tsunami waves reached 20–70 cm along the northern Pacific coast.
Tens of thousands of residents were ordered to higher ground – around 90,000 people in affected regions.
More than 50 people were injured, according to the fire and disaster agency.
Rail services and some infrastructure were temporarily disrupted.
Tsunami warnings were downgraded to advisories and then lifted by early Tuesday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its first-ever “Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory”, warning of a higher chance of a major follow-up quake – a megaquake – along the Japan and Chishima Trenches.
The advisory covered 182 municipalities across seven prefectures.
Municipal authorities set up temporary evacuation shelters across Aomori and Hokkaido, offering blankets, food, and heating.
Dozens of aftershocks continue to rock Japan’s Pacific coast since Monday night’s powerful tremor.
Officials continue urging residents to stay vigilant, even though they say that the chance of a megaquake is 1 in 100.
Schools in several regions remain closed, and some reported damage.
Officials continue urging residents in affected areas to review evacuation routes, secure furniture, and maintain emergency supplies.
A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of nearly 17km, prompting a new tsunami advisory for parts of northern Honshu and Hokkaido.
The tsunami advisory was lifted even though local reports said evacuation orders were issued in some places in Miyagi Prefecture.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 07:53
Residents stocking up on emergency gear amid megaquake advisory
Across Aomori and Hokkaido, residents are reportedly stocking up on emergency gear as stores report surging sales of water, stabilisers, portable toilets, and adjustable poles to secure household furniture.
Families are preparing for the worst as the megaquake advisory remains in place.
Broken window glass scattered on the street in front of a building is seen in Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture on 9 December 2025, following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake off northern Japan (JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)
A man in his 40s who was buying stabilisers for his fridge said: “It almost fell over in the quake. I hope we don’t experience another big one. I have young children, so I bought this as a precaution.”
Many stores are now also displaying disaster-related goods on shelves.
Childcare centres and community shelters are now prioritising heating options, thermal mats, and ways to keep evacuees dry in case of an emergency.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 07:13
Pacific coast residents on edge after latest earthquake
Japan’s northern and eastern regions are on high alert as authorities continue to ask citizens to stay vigilant amid a megaquake advisory.
Today’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake added to anxieties as authorities have warned that conditions along the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench could trigger another major tremor.
Since Monday’s 7.5-magnitude tremor, dozens of aftershocks have struck the region.
Officials have expanded preparedness advisories to more than 180 municipalities spanning Hokkaido to Chiba.
Residents have been urged to go back to basics: know evacuation routes, secure heavy furniture, and assemble emergency grab-and-go kits stocked with essentials such as water, food, flashlights, and portable toilets.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 06:32
Japan’s weather agency revises magnitude of latest earthquake from 6.7 to 6.9
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has upgraded today’s earthquake off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture to a magnitude 6.9, up from the initial 6.7 estimate.
The quake struck at 11.44am local time and had a depth of 17 km – slightly shallower than the preliminary estimate of around 20km.
The tsunami advisory, issued minutes after the tremor, has now been lifted. There were, however, some evacuations in Miyagi Prefecture, according to local media reports.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 06:08
Megaquake advisory prompts hotel cancellations
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s advisory warning of a possible megaquake following Monday’s strong Aomori tremor has prompted hotel booking cancellations across the region, The JiJi Press reported.
The alert, in effect until midnight Tuesday, urges residents in Hokkaido and the Sanriku coast to take precautions.
A “ryokan” owner in Hachinohe City told the outlet that there were “five or six reservation cancellations, mainly by people who planned to visit on business”.
She said a school team booking may also be withdrawn. She added: “We are urging guests to check evacuation sites and routes in advance to prepare for a big earthquake.”
Monday’s earthquake was followed by more than a dozen aftershocks over the next few days, and today a magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori, briefly triggering a tsunami advisory along the Pacific coast.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 05:45
Tsunami advisory lifted
The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted the tsunami advisory that was issued minutes after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture this morning.
The advisory was in place for the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures.
The earthquake came just days after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, which prompted authorities to issue a megaquake warning which remains in effect until midnight Tuesday.
Maroosha Muzaffar12 December 2025 05:27
AloJapan.com