Northern Japan struck by 6.9‑magnitude quake, no tsunami warning

A powerful 6.9‑magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s northern coast on Thursday, with the epicentre located off Iwate (near Aomori) at a depth of about 50 km. The Japan Meteorological Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey both reported the magnitude and confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or major damage. Fifteen minor injuries from falling debris were recorded, and power outages affected roughly 50,000 households. About 1,200 residents were evacuated from low‑lying coastal areas as a precaution. Train services in the region were temporarily suspended for safety checks, and schools in affected towns were canceled for the day.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government’s emergency team is “putting people’s lives first” and urged caution regarding potential aftershocks. Nuclear facilities, including the Fukushima Daiichi plant, reported no abnormalities. Authorities warned of a 30 % chance of a magnitude‑5.5 aftershock within 72 hours and have begun assessments of structural damage.