Latest news Earthquake off the coast alerts Japan - warning level lowered
After a strong earthquake off the coast of Japan, the responsible authorities are warning of a tsunami with waves up to one meter high. Initially, the Japanese Meteorological Agency had even predicted waves up to three meters high. The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 occurred late in the evening (local time) at a depth of 50 kilometers and was also felt in several cities. Initially, the authorities had given the magnitude as 7.6.
08.12.2025, 16:52
08.12.2025, 21:53
SDA
The disaster control authority said that 23 people were injured. Three people are missing. No major damage was initially reported.
Warning level downgraded
According to the authorities, southern coastal areas of the island of Hokkaido and north-eastern areas of Honshu, Japan's largest island, are particularly at risk from tsunamis. The tsunami warning was downgraded after a while.
The highest wave of 70 centimetres measured so far hit the coastal town of Kuji on Honshu, according to the Meteorological Agency. In Urakawa on Hokkaido, 50 centimeters were measured. The agency also warned of possible aftershocks.
As the Japanese broadcaster NHK reported, several municipalities ordered evacuations. The government has convened a crisis team in the office of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. According to the report, the Meteorological Agency would like to hold a press conference soon to provide information on further measures.
Precautionary measures at the Fukushima nuclear ruins
The operator of the Japanese nuclear ruins at Fukushima Daiichi announced that precautionary measures had been taken due to the tsunami warning. "There is currently no anomaly in the system," said Tepco (Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings) on its website.
In March 2011, several core meltdowns occurred at the nuclear power plant in the north-east of the island state as a result of a severe earthquake and powerful tsunamis after the cooling systems failed.
Tsunamis are tidal waves that can occur when earthquakes or volcanic eruptions shake the seabed. In contrast to normal surface waves, the tsunami (Japanese: big wave in the harbor) is particularly dangerous because the deep layers of water are set in motion.
