M7.5 Earthquake Hits Northern Japan; Tsunami Waves Observed in Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate Prefectures

The Japan News

23:40 JST, December 8, 2025

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred 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 and an upper 5 in Noheji and other areas in the prefecture, as well as Hakodate, Hokkaido, and Karumai, Iwate Prefecture.

The first tsunami reached Muroran Port in Hokkaido at 11:19 p.m. on Monday 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 were expected to reach the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, and the Pacific coasts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures.

A tsunami advisory was issued for the east and west Pacific coasts of Hokkaido, and for the coasts of the Sea of Japan in Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

Disaster Preparedness / Post-Quake Congestion Could Cause Secondary Disasters; Crowds, Loss of Phone Signal Issues to be Aware of 

What happens when the electricity goes out in a nighttime quake? 

How to protect children at preschool facilities after a major tsunami warning