Residents in Certain Coastal Districts of Japan Evacuated After an Earthquake of Magnitude 7.6 struck

A strong earthquake that struck central Japan caused many deaths, damaged several structures, cut off electricity to tens of thousands of houses, and forced those living in coastal areas to evacuate for higher ground.

On Monday, waves measuring roughly 1 meter (3 feet) in height were caused by an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 along the west coast of Japan and neighbouring South Korea. According to authorities, bigger waves may ensue.

Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures have received tsunami warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). A major tsunami warning was issued for Ishikawa, but later was decreased and then reduced to an advisory. It was the first major tsunami warning since the north-eastern Japan earthquake and tsunami of March 2011.

North Korea and Russia have also issued tsunami warnings for specific regions.

According to Yoshimasa Hayashi, a spokesman for the Japanese government, the earthquake caused numerous houses to collapse and started fires. Army forces have been sent to assist with rescue efforts while authorities continue to evaluate the damage.

Over the next few days, more powerful earthquakes may occur in the region, where seismic activity has been simmering for more than three years, according to JMA spokesman Toshihiro Shimoyama.

Despite the difficulty in accessing areas affected by earthquakes owing to blocked roads, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that he had directed search-and-rescue workers to do everything they could to preserve lives.

According to Chris Gilbert, a reporter from Tokyo, authorities have identified numerous persons who are stranded.

“The government confirmed that at least six to ten persons are trapped within buildings and [the total] may be significantly higher given that the government is often rather cautious with these figures until their official [final tally],” said Gilbert. 

Structures in Ishikawa appeared crumbling on NHK footage, and structures in Tokyo, the country's capital, shook.

According to utility provider Hokuriku Electricity, more than 36,000 households in the prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama lost electricity.

According to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority, no anomalies have been verified at any nuclear power facilities by the Sea of Japan, including the five operational reactors at the Ohi and Takahama plants of Kansai Electric Power in the prefecture of Fukui.

The agency noted that Hokuriku's Shika facility in Ishikawa, the plant closest to the epicenter of the earthquake, had already stopped its two reactors for routine maintenance before the earthquake and had not noticed any effects from it.

According to South Korea's meteorological office, the sea level may rise in some areas of the east coast of Gangwon province.

Japan is among the nation’s most vulnerable to earthquakes worldwide. On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated towns in north-eastern Japan, killing close to 20,000 people and resulting in nuclear meltdowns at Fukushima.

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