2026 Sanriku Coast Earthquake

Overview

On April 20, 2026 at 16:53 JST, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture along the Japan Trench. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially measured the quake at 7.5, later revising it to 7.7. Tsunami warnings for waves up to 3 meters were issued for Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido prefectures, with an 80-centimeter tsunami observed at Kuji Port. Evacuation orders were issued to 82,811 households — approximately 175,957 people — across 13 cities, 21 towns, and 6 villages in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima. At least 26 nonresidential buildings including schools and restaurants were damaged in Aomori. Shinkansen services on the Hokkaido, Tokaido, and Tohoku lines were suspended. The JMA issued a Subsequent Earthquake Advisory through April 27, warning of possible stronger aftershocks. International relief organizations are mobilizing to support Japan's disaster response agencies.