Evacuate, don’t turn back: Tsunami hits northern Japan after 7.7-magnitude quake

A powerful earthquake struck off the Sanriku coast in north-east Japan , triggering tsunami warnings, mass evacuations and major transport disruption , according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) .

The quake occurred at around 4:53 pm local time (0753 GMT) at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres . It was initially recorded at magnitude 7.4 , later revised in some reports to as high as 7.7 , prompting widespread concern across coastal regions.

Authorities issued urgent evacuation orders, repeatedly warning residents: “Evacuate, don’t turn back,” as tsunami risk spread along the coast. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of an emergency task force and ordered immediate evacuations, saying, “Possible damage and casualties are now being looked into.”

Earlier tsunami warnings were later downgraded to advisories after assessment of wave activity. Some residents described the moment of impact as a “low rumbling” shaking buildings before alarms went off. “As soon as the alert went off, everyone ran,” a person in Hokkaido told the BBC.

The tsunami warning initially covered Iwate, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Hokkaido , with forecasts of up to 3-metre waves , though observed waves reached only 40–80 centimetres in some coastal areas including Kuji Port .

Officials said nuclear power plants in the region appear to be operating normally , with no immediate safety concerns reported.

The quake was strongly felt across northeastern Japan and Tokyo , with shaking intensity reaching upper 5 on Japan’s seismic scale .

More than 1.75–1.82 lakh people were evacuated , with shelters activated across coastal prefectures. Shinkansen bullet train services were suspended , rail networks halted, and highways temporarily closed. Power companies are inspecting facilities and grid systems for possible damage.

Officials confirmed no major structural damage or widespread casualties so far , though at least one minor injury has been reported. Authorities continue monitoring aftershocks and possible secondary tsunami activity .

Japan, still conscious of the 2011 magnitude 9.0 tsunami disaster , continues to urge residents to seek higher ground immediately after any warning .