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Tsunami warning issued as major earthquake hits off coast of Japan

Published 09:37 20 Apr 2026 BST

Updated 09:37 20 Apr 2026 BST

JOE
Tsunami warning issued as major earthquake hits off coast of Japan

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BREAKING

A tsunami warning has been issued after a major earthquake hit off the coast of Japan.

Sky News reports that a wave as big as three metres could hit the country within the next half an hour.

The earthquake was originally recorded as 7.3 magnitude on the seismic scale, but it has since been revised up to 7.5 magnitude.

The three areas expected to be most impacted are the central Pacific Hokkaido coast, the Aomori prefecture coast and the Iwate prefecture coast, with warnings issued for these areas.

Advisories have also been issued for other parts of the Pacific coast Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures, as well as the Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

Japanese outlet NHK news says that people have been advised to evacuate immediately.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged citizens in affected areas to seek higher ground immediately.

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Tsunami warning issued as major earthquake hits off coast of Japan