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Japan earthquake tsunami warning after 7.4-magnitude quake hits Iwate and Hokkaido

A tsunami warning has been issued after Japan was hit with a huge 7.4-magnitude earthquake, with 10ft waves expected to hit Iwate prefecture and parts of Hokkaido

Abigail Hunt and Emma O’Neill Content Editor

09:34, 20 Apr 2026

An aerial view of a town with a body of water and mountains in the background.

(Image: Getty Images/MIXA)

A tsunami warning has been issued after Japan was struck by a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake, with 10ft waves anticipated to arrive “immediately”.

The colossal three-metre (10ft) tsunami wave is expected to batter Iwate prefecture and parts of Hokkaido “immediately” following the quake, which was recorded at 4.53pm local time (7.53am UK time).

Further tsunami waves are anticipated to reach Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima within the next hour, though these are only forecast to reach three feet, according to Japanese media.

An aerial view of a bustling metropolitan area with high-rise buildings, a central park, and a backdrop of mountains under a setting sun.

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The earthquake struck six miles below the surface, with its epicentre located in the Pacific Ocean. The tremor was reportedly powerful enough to rattle large buildings as far away as Tokyo, hundreds of miles from the quake’s epicentre.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned: “Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building, reports the Daily Star.

“Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted.”

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s office confirmed it has established a crisis management team in response to the earthquake.

Map depicting a seismic event with highlighted regions indicating epicenters and magnitudes. Various colors mark different seismic intensities across the depicted geographical area.

(Image: Meteorological Agency)

Japan ranks amongst the world’s most seismically volatile nations, perched atop four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’.

The island nation, which is home to roughly 125 million people, accounts for 18% of the world’s earthquakes and experiences 1,500 tremors annually — though the vast majority are relatively minor. Back in 2011, a magnitude-9.0 earthquake sparked a tsunami that claimed 18,500 lives or left them missing, while also triggering a catastrophic meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

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