TOKYO, Japan — April 20, 2026 A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit northern Japan, with its epicenter located in the Pacific Ocean north of Iwate Prefecture, triggering a tsunami warning for waves up to 3 meters high.

Earthquake Details and Immediate Impact

The earthquake, which occurred on April 20, 2026, was centered approximately 10 kilometers beneath the sea surface northeast of Iwate Prefecture. The tremors were felt hundreds of kilometers away, including in Tokyo, highlighting the quake's significant reach.

Japan, a country with a population of 125 million, experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually due to its location in one of the world's most seismically active regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the quake's magnitude, stating, *"Es hatte nach Angaben der zuständigen Wetterbehörde JMA die Stärke 7,4, sein Zentrum lag nördlich der Präfektur Iwate im Pazifik."*

Tsunami Warning and Regional Response

Authorities swiftly issued a tsunami warning for the affected coastal areas, predicting waves as high as 3 meters. Residents in Iwate Prefecture and neighboring regions were urged to evacuate to higher ground as a precaution.