Japan Hit by Powerful 7.6-Magnitude Earthquake | First-Ever Nankai Trough Megaquake Advisory Issued
Japan Hit by Powerful 7.6-Magnitude Earthquake | First-Ever Nankai Trough Megaquake Advisory Issued
World Report Press | Tokyo/Singapore | December 9, 2025 – 14:30 GMT
A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan at 23:15 JST on December 8 (14:15 GMT), triggering tsunami waves, injuring at least 33 people, and prompting Japanese authorities to issue the country’s first-ever “Nankai Trough Megaquake Advisory” — a rare warning that a magnitude 8–9 event could follow within the next week.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Magnitude: 7.6 (USGS) / 7.5 (JMA)
- Epicenter: 80 km east of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture
- Depth: 44–50 km
- Tsunami: Waves up to 70 cm observed; major warnings lifted by 05:00 JST Dec 9
- Injuries: 33 confirmed (1 serious)
- Evacuations: ~90,000 people spent the night in shelters
- Nuclear plants: No abnormalities reported at Rokkasho, Onagawa, or Higashidori facilities
Historic Megaquake Advisory Activated
For the first time since the system was established after the 2011 disaster, the Japan Meteorological Agency escalated the alert level to “Megaquake Advisory” for the Nankai Trough — a 900-km subduction zone capable of producing magnitude 8–9 earthquakes.
The government estimates a 70–80 % probability of a magnitude 8+ event in the next 30 years, but the probability is now considered “significantly elevated” for the next seven days.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba convened an emergency cabinet meeting and stated: “We are preparing for the worst-case scenario while hoping for the best. Citizens should secure one week of supplies and review evacuation routes.”
Global Impact & International Response
- Bullet trains (Shinkansen) on the Tohoku, Hokkaido, and Akita lines remain suspended.
- All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines cancelled dozens of domestic flights.
- The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Indian Embassy, and Singapore High Commission issued safety advisories for their nationals.
- South Korea’s meteorological agency briefly issued a tsunami advisory for its east coast (later cancelled).
Latest Aftershocks (as of 15:00 GMT, Dec 9)
| Time (GMT) | Magnitude | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 06:07 GMT | 5.8 | Off Aomori Prefecture |
| 22:07 GMT (Dec 8) | 5.5 | Near Hachinohe |
| 14:33 GMT | 5.1 | 140 km ENE of Miyako |
What Happens Next?
Seismologists warn that the region remains highly unstable. The government has deployed Self-Defense Forces to affected areas and is conducting aerial surveys of coastal damage.
World Report Press will continue to provide real-time updates as this critical situation develops.
Tags: Japan earthquake December 2025, 7.6 magnitude Japan, Nankai Trough megaquake advisory, Japan tsunami warning, Tohoku earthquake, global seismic alert
