A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s northeastern region on 12 Dec 2025, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami advisory.
The tremor hit at 11:44am local time off the coast of Aomori Prefecture.
6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northeast Japan, Tsunami Advisory Issued
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred 130km northeast of the city of Kuji in Iwate prefecture.
The JMA issued an advisory for a possible tsunami of up to 1m. The Japan News reported that the tsunami could hit Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures between noon and 1:20pm.
The tremor measured four on Japan’s one to seven seismic intensity scale.
National broadcaster NHK stated that no tsunami damage is expected after the latest quake. NHK also reported that the level of shaking was less than the bigger tremor that struck late on 8 Dec 2025.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed on 12 Dec 2025 that there were no immediate signs of abnormalities at the region’s nuclear facilities.
The Singapore Embassy in Tokyo posted on Facebook, warning Singaporeans to keep away from coasts and river mouths. Singaporeans are advised to continue evacuating until all advisories are lifted.
Recent Seismic Activity and Megaquake Warnings Follow 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake
The 12 Dec 2025 earthquake comes just days after a larger 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the same region on the evening of 8 Dec 2025.
At least 30 people were reportedly injured from the 8 Dec 2025 quake. The earthquake knocked items off shelves, tore apart roads, smashed windows and triggered tsunami waves of up to 70cm.
Tsunami warnings were downgraded as of the morning of 9 Dec 2025.
After the 8 Dec 2025 earthquake, the Japanese government issued a special advisory warning residents across a wide area, from Hokkaido in the north to Chiba, east of Tokyo, to be on alert for an increased possibility of a powerful earthquake hitting again within a week.
Japanese authorities have issued a precautionary alert for a megaquake of magnitude eight or higher.
Japan’s government has warned that up to 199,000 people could die if a massive maximum-level earthquake triggers a major tsunami along the Japan and Chishima trenches. Experts say this threat is growing more imminent, according to Japanese media.
A megaquake in the area could set off tsunamis impacting Japan’s Pacific coastline from Hokkaido down to Chiba Prefecture.
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