Japan on high alert for ‘huge’ second quake after issuing tsunami warning

Officials in Japan have issued warnings of a heightened risk of a significant earthquake occurring within the next week following a 7.7 magnitude quake off the north-eastern coast, which prompted evacuation orders and warnings of tsunami waves up to 3 meters.

Residents in coastal regions, particularly in Iwate prefecture, were instructed to seek higher ground as tremors were felt even as far away as Tokyo.

The Meteorological Agency warned of the possibility of even stronger quakes, with an increased likelihood of tremors measuring 8.0 or greater.

This anxiety is heightened by the traumatic memories of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that resulted in over 18,000 deaths and caused a nuclear disaster at Fukushima.

After the recent quake, tsunami alerts were issued for regions on Japan’s main island, Honshu, and in northern Hokkaido, where evacuations were enacted.

Although some tsunami waves reached 80cm, officials are cautioning against complacency, emphasizing that residents should not return to unsafe areas until all warnings are lifted.

Japan experiences about 1,500 earthquakes yearly, and authorities continuously remind the public about safety and preparedness in light of the country’s seismic vulnerabilities.