M7.6 Earthquake Hits Northern Japan; Tsunami Waves Are Reaching Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate Prefectures

The Japan News

23:40 JST, December 8, 2025

M7.6 earthquake occurred in off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture around at 11:15 p.m. on Monday. Tsunami warnings are in effect for coastal regions in Aomori, Iwate and Hokkaido prefectures.

An upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 was recorded in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. A lower 6 in Oirase and Hashikami in the prefecture; an upper 5 in Noheji and other areas in the prefecture, Hakodate in Hokkaido and Karumai in Iwate Prefecture.

The first tsunami reached Muroran Port in Hokkaido at 11:19 p.m. and Urakawa at 11:38 p.m., both recording a maximum height of 40 centimeters.

A 50-centimeter tsunami was observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture at 12:09 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Three-meter-high tsunami waves are expected to reach central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, Pacific coasts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures.

Tsunami advisory has been issued in east and west Pacific coasts of Hokkaido, the coasts of the Sea of Japan in Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

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