Tokyo, Dec 10 (V7N) – A strong earthquake struck the Tohoku region and Hokkaido late Monday, triggering tsunami warnings and evoking memories of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The epicenter was located in the waters off Aomori Prefecture, prompting residents to spend the night in evacuation centers.

In Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, the earthquake registered an upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7, while neighboring towns of Oirase and Hashikami recorded a lower 6. The 78-year-old owner of a local inn described the tremor as “tremendous, just like the Great East Japan Earthquake.” Plates fell and broke, but he confirmed the safety of two lodging guests and reported no power outages.

In Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, residents evacuated to higher ground after a tsunami warning. About 50 people took shelter at Kamaishi Municipal Elementary School, located on elevated terrain. A 79-year-old evacuee recounted, “We grabbed warm clothes, medicine, hand warmers, and some food, and fled immediately. The community alert reminded me of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and I felt very uneasy.”

In Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, police assisted residents in street evacuations. A 54-year-old woman hurried up a slope with her three family members and their dog, explaining, “At first, I wasn’t sure I should evacuate, but the tsunami warning made me rush. It was late at night, and I was scared.”

In Urakawa, Hokkaido, a 49-year-old inn owner evacuated eight groups of guests to a nearby gymnasium after receiving a tsunami warning. Recalling a previous earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in July, he said, “The shaking lasted about 40 seconds. Remembering past experiences helped me act calmly.”

Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks, and emergency services remain on alert to ensure public safety. No casualties have been reported so far.

END/WD/SMA/