Japan is assessing the scale of destruction and urging caution after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck late Monday night (December 8, 2025), triggering minor tsunamis, halting train services, and leaving dozens injured across the country’s northeastern coastal regions.
The quake, which hit at 11:15 p.m. local time, occurred in the Pacific Ocean about 80 km off Aomori Prefecture. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded it as a 7.6-magnitude event at a depth of 44 km.
Injuries and Immediate Impact
At least 33 people were injured most from falling objects according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. One person sustained serious injuries.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said an emergency response team had been activated to analyse damage and coordinate relief. “We are putting people’s lives first and doing everything we can,” she told reporters.
During a parliamentary session, Ms. Takaichi reminded residents to stay alert and prioritise their safety.
Tsunami Waves and Infrastructure Disruption
Tsunami waves up to 70 cm were recorded in Kuji port (Iwate Prefecture), while other nearby coastal areas saw waves of around 50 cm, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Some oyster farming rafts were damaged.
The JMA lifted all tsunami advisories by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The powerful tremors led to:
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800 homes without electricity overnight
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Suspension of Shinkansen bullet trains and local rail services
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Damage to New Chitose Airport, where about 200 passengers were stranded after ceiling tiles collapsed in a terminal
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Mobilisation of 18 defence helicopters for aerial damage assessment
Power was mostly restored by morning, Tohoku Electric Power Co. said.
Nuclear Facility Incident Under Control
The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that about 450 litres of water spilled from a spent-fuel cooling area at the Rokkasho reprocessing plant. Authorities said water levels remained stable and no radiation risk was detected. All other nuclear facilities reported no abnormalities.
Risk of a Larger Quake Noted
The JMA warned that aftershocks may continue for days, noting a slightly increased risk of a magnitude-8-level earthquake along the northeastern coastline from Chiba to Hokkaido. Officials emphasized that this is not a prediction but an advisory to strengthen preparedness in 182 municipalities.
The advisory carries added weight as Monday’s quake occurred just north of the region devastated by the 2011 magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami, which killed nearly 20,000 people and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
“Assume that a similar disaster could happen again,” said JMA official Satoshi Harada.
Several sizable aftershocks have already been reported, including magnitude 6.6 and 5.1 tremors.
