Early on December 9 (local time), Japan lifted all Tsunami warnings, hours after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Aomori Prefecture at around 11:15 p.m. on December 8, warning coastal areas of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) recorded a 6+ earthquake based on a Japanese earthquake intensity scale in the city of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture. According to the JMA, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 50km.
Local television said that the Tsunami warning has been downgraded to the recommended level, after recording waves 70cm high in some areas. However, the JMA continues to call on people to be vigilant against the risk of further earthquakes.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the government is collecting information about casualties and property damage. The Prime Minister's Office has established a crisis management board.
Under the direction of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, we are mobilizing all resources to assess the damage, deploy search and rescue and implement emergency relief measures, with the top priority being human life, Kihara said at a press conference.
According to initial information, 2 F-2 fighters at Hyakuri base (Ibaraki prefecture), 1 SH-60 patrol helicopter at Ominato naval base (Aomori) and 2 F-35 fighters at Misawa base (Aomori) were deployed to collect damage information.
No significant damage to infrastructure has been reported and there are no signs of any unusual signs at nuclear power plants nationwide. However, 23 people were injured, including one seriously injured, according to the Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
Meanwhile, power companies said hundreds of households in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region lost power due to the earthquake, but the power was restored at 5am on December 9 (local time).
According to JR East railway company, the Tohoku Shinkansen high-speed train has been suspended in both directions between Morioka and Shin-Aomori stations at the time of the earthquake after several hours. Passengers are advised to proactively follow and update information on JR East's website.
