Strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake hits Japan, tsunami warning issued

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 has struck northern Japan. Following the quake, Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami warning of up to 3 metres (approximately 10 feet) for the country's northern coast.

The agency said the tremor was felt at 4:53 pm local time (1:53 pm Bangladesh time) on Monday, April 20, in the coastal area of northern Iwate. The earthquake was so strong that large buildings in the capital Tokyo, located several hundred kilometres away, also shook.

The Meteorological Agency warned that the first tsunami waves could hit the northern coast very quickly. Residents of coastal and riverside areas have been instructed to evacuate immediately to higher ground or safe shelters.

The warning added that tsunami waves may strike repeatedly. People should not leave safe areas until the warning is lifted.

Meanwhile, an emergency crisis management team has been formed at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office to handle the situation.

Due to its geographical location, Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. The archipelago, situated on four major tectonic plates at the western edge of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', experiences approximately 1,500 tremors every year.

It is to be noted that the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in 2011 killed or left missing approximately 18,500 people. That natural disaster also caused a catastrophic meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant.