Japan’s weather agency lifted a tsunami warning early Tuesday for coastal areas of Aomori, Iwate and Hokkaido, hours after a strong earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Aomori.
The temblor, which hit at 11:15 p.m. Monday, had a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 and a depth of 54 kilometers, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. It registered upper 6 on Japan’s seismic scale of 7 in parts of Aomori. The agency initially reported a magnitude of 7.6.
A tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory about three and a half hours after the quake, and all advisories were lifted by 6:20 a.m. Tuesday. The highest tsunami observed was about 70 centimeters at Kuji Port in Iwate.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said 30 people were injured, warning of the possibility of another strong quake in Pacific coastal areas. The agency noted there is a one-in-100 chance of a magnitude 8 or greater quake within seven days.
Authorities urged residents to remain prepared, keeping emergency supplies on hand. The Chinese Embassy in Japan also advised its citizens to stay alert and monitor official warnings.
Local officials reported more than 10 injuries in Aomori and Hokkaido, including one serious case in Hidaka. About 2,700 homes in Aomori lost power, Kyodo News said.
No abnormalities were reported at nuclear plants in Hokkaido or the northeastern prefectures of Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima.
Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services were suspended between Fukushima and Shin-Aomori, and one train carrying 94 passengers was briefly stranded in Aomori, operator JR East said.