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Big Quake Strikes Japan Again: What Makes The Nation So Vulnerable
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck offshore near Iwate Prefecture at 4:53 pm local time, triggering a tsunami warning for waves up to three metres. About 40 minutes later, the Kuji port was hit by an 80-centimetre tsunami, underscoring Japan's coastal vulnerability to offshore earthquakes. The event highlights Japan's location on the Ring of Fire and tectonic activity beneath the country.
Why It Matters
The quake underscores Japan's ongoing seismic risk and how offshore earthquakes can prompt tsunamis, impacting coastal communities and infrastructure.
Timeline
2 Events
80-centimetre tsunami hits Kuji port
April 20, 2026
About 40 minutes after the quake, the Kuji port in Iwate Prefecture was hit by a tsunami wave measuring about 80 centimetres.
Earthquake strikes offshore near Iwate Prefecture
April 20, 2026
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred at 4:53 pm local time (07:53 GMT) in Pacific waters off northern Iwate Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for waves up to three metres. Shaking was felt in large buildings hundreds of kilometres away.