TOKYO, June 25 (ANI) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday urged residents to remain vigilant after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, triggering strong shaking across northeastern Japan.
According to Takaichi, the strongest tremors, measuring upper 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, were recorded in Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture. Authorities said there was no risk of a tsunami following the quake.
“At around 7:30 a.m. today, an earthquake with its epicenter off the coast of Iwate Prefecture occurred, and strong shaking with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 was observed in Hashikami Town, Aomori Prefecture. There is no concern about a tsunami,” Takaichi said in a post on X.
The prime minister instructed relevant ministries and government agencies to promptly assess damage and provide accurate and timely information to the public, including evacuation guidance where necessary.
“To those in the areas where the shaking was strong, I ask that you continue to remain vigilant for the possibility of earthquakes of similar intensity. From now on, I will receive detailed reports and take charge of the disaster response,” she said.
India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS) measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale.
In a post on X, the NCS said the quake occurred at 4:00:15 a.m. IST at a depth of 64 kilometers in the North Pacific Ocean, with coordinates of 40.096 degrees north latitude and 142.366 degrees east longitude.
A mild tremor was also felt in Tokyo, according to The Japan Times.
The Japan Meteorological Agency defines an upper-6 intensity earthquake as one strong enough to make walking difficult, forcing many people to crawl. Unsecured furniture is likely to topple, and significant shaking can occur inside buildings.
In response to the earthquake, the Prime Minister’s Office established an emergency response task force at its Crisis Management Center.
Takaichi said the government immediately convened an emergency meeting involving senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies and launched a coordinated response effort.
“The government, immediately after the earthquake, established the Prime Minister’s Office Response Room at the Crisis Management Center in the Prime Minister’s Office, convened an emergency task force at the director-general level from relevant ministries and agencies, and, based on my instructions, is fully committed to assessing the damage situation, conducting rescue and relief efforts, and providing timely and accurate information to the public,” she said. (ANI)
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