A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake strikes Fukushima, Japan, tsunami alert issued

By / Edited and reported by the MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department

According to reports from the Japan Meteorological Agency, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurred in the offshore waters of Honshu, Japan, at 5:59 a.m. local time today (4:59 a.m. Taiwan time), with a depth of only 10 kilometers. According to Japanese media reports, the maximum seismic intensity locally was “5弱,” equivalent to intensity level 5, and authorities have issued a tsunami warning for Fukushima Prefecture.

After the earthquake, tsunamis of 1 to 3 meters were observed at Soma Port in Soma City, Kashima Port in Iwaki City, and Sendai Nami. The government urged local residents to stay in high places until the warning is lifted. The tsunami warning has now been lifted.

The Japanese government stated that there have been no abnormal reports from nuclear power plants so far, and monitoring continues. The government also urges the public to remain in high places, as higher tsunamis may still occur.