Japan Issues Rare Megaquake Alert After Powerful Quake

Japan’s meteorological agency has issued an uncommon “megaquake advisory” following a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake that jolted the sea off Aomori, south of Hokkaido. While the recent tremor caused minimal damage and 34 injuries, the advisory signals an elevated risk of a much larger seismic event in the vicinity. Officials emphasized that the advisory is not a definitive forecast, and the probability of an 8+ magnitude quake remains low, around one percent. However, the alert aims to boost preparedness, recalling the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that claimed nearly 20,000 lives. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) indicated that Monday’s seismic activity has increased risks along the Hokkaido-Sanriku coast, a seismically active zone where tectonic plates converge. Experts noted a parallel with the 2011 magnitude 9.0 quake, which occurred just two days after a 7.3 magnitude tremor in the same area. Coastal residents are urged to stay vigilant, maintain emergency supplies, and be ready for immediate evacuation across 182 municipalities from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture. The government has previously estimated that a major quake in this region could potentially cause up to 30-meter tsunamis, result in nearly 200,000 fatalities, destroy over 200,000 structures, and inflict economic losses of approximately $198 billion, with a significant risk of hypothermia for tens of thousands during winter.