A massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan on December 8, 2025, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory for potential waves up to 3 meters. Japan’s Meteorological Agency later revised the quake’s magnitude to 7.6, noting that it occurred at a depth of approximately 60 kilometers beneath the seafloor.

CCTV cameras across the region recorded intense shaking as the quake rippled through Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, registering up to a 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale. An accompanying Earthquake Early Warning map showed widespread strong shaking, triggering automatic alerts and immediate evacuation orders in coastal municipalities.

As of the latest reports, no casualties or major damage have been confirmed. However, tens of thousands of residents in Aomori, Hokkaido, and Iwate have been instructed to move to higher ground as a precaution. Trains were halted, power lines inspected, and emergency response teams deployed to assess infrastructure risks.

Authorities emphasized that even a moderate tsunami could pose serious danger to low-lying areas. Emergency broadcasts urged residents to stay away from the shoreline until the advisory is lifted.

The quake comes amid heightened seismic activity across northern Japan, though officials stressed that there is no indication of a larger event to follow. Monitoring continues as aftershocks are expected over the next several hours.