Tokyo, 9 December 2025 (dpa/MIA) – Japanese authorities lifted tsunami warnings on Tuesday, hours after a powerful earthquake struck the country's north-east coast, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The region was reportedly hit by an aftershock, but residents were not in danger. The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) had previously downgraded the tsunami warning to a lower level.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Tuesday morning there were reports of 30 injuries and a residential house fire, though there appeared to be no major damage.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.5, struck off the coast of Aomori prefecture in northern Japan late on Monday at a depth of around 54 kilometres. The JMA had initially warned of a tsunami with waves up to 3 metres following the earthquake.

The highest wave recorded, at 70 centimetres, hit the coastal city of Kuji on Honshu, while a 50-centimetre wave reached Urakawa in Hokkaido, the JMA said. The agency also warned of possible aftershocks.

Experts said a stronger quake could strike in the coming days, and Takaichi urged residents to remain vigilant.

Earlier, the operator of the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant said precautionary measures had been taken due to the tsunami warning, but no system abnormalities were reported, according to the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO).

Several core meltdowns occurred in the nuclear power plant in the north-east of the island nation in March 2011 following a severe earthquake and massive tsunami, after the cooling systems failed.

Tidal waves, known as tsunamis, can occur when earthquakes or volcanic eruptions shake the seabed. Unlike normal surface waves, the tsunami - Japanese for large harbour wave - is particularly dangerous because deep layers of water are set in motion.

Photo: EPA