Japan issues tsunami warning following powerful earthquake

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck offshore near Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan on 20 April 2026. The tremor was felt in buildings as far away as Tokyo, several hundred kilometers from the epicenter.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami warning, predicting waves that could reach heights of up to three meters. Residents were urged to evacuate coastal and riverside areas.

This event echoes the catastrophic magnitude 9 earthquake that struck the country on 11 March 2011, which was followed by a devastating tsunami that claimed over 10 000 lives.