Japan earthquake LIVE: Sanriku rocked today by 7.4 quake as tsunami warnings issued

3 weeks ago 20

Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.

Japan has been rocked by a huge earthquake in Sanriku.

10:17, Mon, Apr 20, 2026 Updated: 10:17, Mon, Apr 20, 2026

Japan earthquake

Japan earthquake (Image: X)

Japan has been rocked by a huge 7.4 earthquake as Sanriku faces severe tremors.

Tsunami warnings have been issued after the earthquake.

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6 mins ago10:17 Astha Saxena

Areas in Japan hit by the waves:

Kuji, Iwate prefecture, 80cm

Miyako Iwate prefecture, 40cm

Hachinohe, Aomori prefecture, 30cm

Urakawacho, Hokkaido prefecture, 20cm

7 mins ago10:16 Astha Saxena

Japan hit by the first waves

Japan has been hit by the first waves, with the biggest so far recorded at 80cm, according to the country's meteorological agency.

22 mins ago10:01 Astha Saxena

No abnormality at Fukushima plants

According to NHK news, Tokyo Electric Power Company says it's confirmed there are no abnormalities at its Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini nuclear plants.

31 mins ago09:52 Astha Saxena

Power company to assess the impact on nuclear plants

Tokyo Electric Power Company is checking whether the earthquake caused any issues at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear plants.

Tohoku Electric Power Company is doing the same at the Onagawa plant in Miyagi Prefecture and the Higashidori plant in Aomori Prefecture.

So far, the operator of the Fukushima Daini plant says there are no signs of problems, and radiation levels around the site remain normal.

Dedicated engineer working until the late hours in the oil and gas industry with laptop.

Power company to assess the impact on nuclear plants (Image: Getty)

37 mins ago09:46 Astha Saxena

News conference to be held soon

The Japan Meteorological Agency will hold a news conference at 10am UK time.

39 mins ago09:44 Astha Saxena

Earthquake epicentre: Mapped

Japan's earthquake epicentre has been mapped with the unsusual weather event hitting at a depth of 10km, 100km off Japan's eastern coast.

Mapped

Earthquake epicentre: Mapped (Image: Reach Data Unit)

43 mins ago09:40 Astha Saxena

Bullet train services halted

Bullet train services between Tokyo station and Shin-Aomori station have been haltyed due to the earthquake, said the operator of Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train.

Japan bullet train

he operator of Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train says the service has been suspended (Image: Getty)

49 mins ago09:34 Astha Saxena

Tsunami wave of 10ft is expected to hit

Japan’s meteorological agency has warned that tsunami waves could reach parts of the country’s coastline in under half an hour.

The waves are expected to be significant, with heights potentially reaching up to three metres (10 ft).

Tsunami waves

Tsunami wave of 10ft is expected to hit (Image: Getty)

52 mins ago09:31 Astha Saxena

Areas worst-affected

The following areas are likely to be the worst-hit:

The central Pacific Hokkaido coast The Aomori prefecture coast The Iwate prefecture coast

53 mins ago09:30 Astha Saxena

Residents urged to 'evacuate immediately'

According to the country's NHK news, people have been told to evacuate immediately.

Tsunami warnings are the second highest level of alert, with major tsunami warnings the highest.

54 mins ago09:29 Astha Saxena

Japan's earthquake areas mapped

Tsunami warnings have been issued for parts of Japan's northeast after the earthquake.

Japan earthquake

Tsunami warnings have been issued for parts of Japan's northeast (Image: Japan's meteorological agency)

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57 mins ago09:26 Astha Saxena