A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan off the Sanriku Coast, triggering tsunami warnings and urgent evacuation orders across coastal regions. Authorities warned that waves up to 3 metres could hit parts of Iwate and Hokkaido. Around 40 minutes after the quake, an 80-centimetre tsunami wave was recorded at a port in Kuji, raising concerns that additional waves may follow. Strong tremors were felt as far as Tokyo, hundreds of kilometres away.