A magnitude-7.7 strong earthquake struck off the coast of Sanriku in northeastern Japan on the afternoon of the 20th, injuring at least six people as of the morning of the 21st. The quake also triggered tsunami waves of up to 80 centimeters, but fortunately no major damage has been reported. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of another major earthquake.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) reported that as of 8 a.m. on the 21st, a total of six people were injured, including two with serious injuries.
Officials pointed out that, so far, there have been no reports of damage to critical infrastructure or fires.
According to Agence France-Presse, this earthquake was so powerful that even in Tokyo, hundreds of kilometers away, residents could clearly feel tall buildings swaying.
According to information from the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake struck at 4:53 p.m. local time on the 20th, with its epicenter about 100 kilometers east of Miyako City off the Sanriku coast, and a depth of about 10 kilometers. The magnitude was later revised upward to 7.7. Approximately two minutes after the quake, authorities issued tsunami warnings for Iwate Prefecture and central parts of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido. These warnings were lifted several hours later.
The Meteorological Agency stated: "The likelihood of another large earthquake occurring is higher than usual."
The FDMA indicated that local governments in affected areas had issued non-mandatory evacuation instructions to more than 182,000 residents.
Japan is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire at the junction of four major tectonic plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. With a population of about 125 million, Japan experiences around 1,500 earthquakes each year, which accounts for about 18% of the world's total. (Source: Central News Agency)