Magnitude 7.6 quake triggers a tsunami on Japan's northern coast

"TOKYO A powerful 7. 6-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan on Monday, triggering a tsunami of up to 40 centimeters in coastal communities in the region, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said. The agency said the magnitude quake struck just east of Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan's main Honshu island, and just south of Hokkaido island. It said a tsunami of 40 centimeters struck the Hokkaido prefecture town of Urakawa and the Aomori prefecture port of Mutsu Ogawara."

"Several people were injured at a hotel in the Aomori town of Hachinohe, public broadcaster NHK reported. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in brief comment to reporters, said the government set up an emergency task force to urgently assess the extent of damage. We are putting people's lives first and doing everything we can, she said. Nuclear power plants in the region were conducting safety checks, NHK reported."

A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan, just east of Aomori and just south of Hokkaido. The quake generated tsunamis up to 40 centimeters that impacted coastal communities including Urakawa in Hokkaido and Mutsu Ogawara in Aomori. Several people sustained injuries at a hotel in Hachinohe. The government established an emergency task force to urgently assess the extent of damage and prioritize public safety. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized putting lives first and taking all possible measures. Nuclear power plants in the affected region initiated safety checks and local authorities continued assessments and responses.

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