Japan’s northeastern coastline is breathing a cautious sigh of relief this week after the government lifted a high-alert megaquake advisory, just seven days after a powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake rattled the region. The decision, announced Tuesday, December 16, 2025, marks a significant step in the area’s ongoing recovery, but officials are adamant: the risk of a major quake has not vanished, and vigilance remains the order of the day.
The advisory was first issued on December 9, a day after the seismic jolt struck off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture—Japan’s northernmost region on the main island of Honshu, lying just south of Hokkaido. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake registered a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese shindo scale in the city of Hachinohe, causing severe shaking that left more than 40 people with mostly mild injuries and damaged dozens of homes. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that, while the quake was powerful, the region was spared the devastation that could have followed.
In the immediate aftermath, tsunami warnings and advisories were issued from Hokkaido down through the northern Tohoku region. Waves up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches) were recorded in parts of the affected area, but, remarkably, no tsunami-related damage was reported. Officials credited both the rapid response of local authorities and the calm reaction of residents for averting a broader crisis. "Municipalities and residents reacted calmly to the advisory and there was no panicking," officials stated during a joint news conference, as reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency and Cabinet Office.
The special advisory was no small matter: it covered 182 cities and towns across Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba prefectures. Residents in these areas were asked to remain on high alert, ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Many were instructed to sleep in their day clothes, with helmets, shoes, and grab bags at their bedsides—precautions designed to shave precious seconds off escape times if a larger quake struck.
The advisory wasn’t issued lightly. The JMA explained that aftershocks and seismic activity following the initial quake had raised the possibility of a subsequent major earthquake—potentially a magnitude 8 or larger—along the Chishima Trench and the Japan Trench. The risk, officials said, was higher than usual, and the threat of a tsunami reaching three meters or more loomed over the region. The mechanism for issuing such advisories in the Hokkaido-Sanriku area was only introduced in 2022, a direct response to the lessons learned from the catastrophic 2011 disaster, when a magnitude 9.0 quake and towering tsunami devastated Japan’s northeastern coast.
That 2011 tragedy, which claimed more than 15,000 lives and left entire communities in ruins, fundamentally changed how Japan approaches earthquake preparedness. Since then, the country has invested heavily in early warning systems, public education, and disaster drills. The recent advisory was a test of these systems—and, by all accounts, both officials and the public passed with flying colors. Unlike the summer of 2024, when the first-ever “Nankai Trough” megaquake advisory for Japan’s southern Pacific coastline led to panic buying, event cancellations, and business closures, this time the response was measured and orderly.
On Tuesday morning, as the advisory was lifted, the JMA and Cabinet Office held a joint briefing to clarify the situation. "The probability of a megaquake has somewhat decreased, but the lifting doesn't mean the risk has disappeared," they cautioned. Residents are no longer required to maintain their emergency routines, but the message from authorities was clear: don’t let your guard down. The JMA urged everyone to maintain vigilance and to continue performing regular earthquake safety practices—checking evacuation sites and routes, securing furniture, and staying informed about emergency procedures.
The advisory’s lifting is undoubtedly a relief for the region’s residents, many of whom have spent the past week living with heightened anxiety. But the sense of relief is tempered by hard-earned experience. "The warning period ending does not mean the possibility of a large-scale earthquake occurring has completely disappeared, and it is still possible for a sudden, massive earthquake to occur," the JMA emphasized during their briefing, as reported by Mainichi Shimbun.
For local governments, the episode has been a reminder of the importance of clear communication and robust preparedness plans. In 2024, ambiguity in the wording of a similar advisory led to widespread confusion and disruption. This time, officials worked to avoid panic, issuing specific guidance and updates through multiple channels. The result? Residents remained calm, businesses stayed open, and emergency services were able to focus on monitoring and readiness rather than managing chaos.
Still, the quake’s impact was felt. More than 40 people suffered injuries—thankfully, most were minor—and dozens of homes sustained damage. The city of Hachinohe, which experienced the strongest shaking, saw residents band together to check on neighbors and secure loose objects in their homes. Emergency drills, already a regular occurrence in the region, took on new urgency as families reviewed evacuation plans and checked their emergency supplies.
The events of the past week have also underscored the unpredictability of seismic activity in Japan, a country that sits atop the volatile Pacific "Ring of Fire." Earthquakes are a fact of life here, and the threat of tsunamis is ever-present for coastal communities. The JMA’s advisory system, while not perfect, represents a crucial tool in the nation’s ongoing effort to mitigate disaster risk.
Looking ahead, officials are urging residents not to become complacent. The lifting of the advisory is a positive sign, but the underlying risks remain. Earthquake safety, they say, is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment. As one official put it during the joint briefing, "It is still possible for a sudden, massive earthquake to occur." The message is unmistakable: stay ready, stay informed, and don’t let your guard down.
For now, the people of Japan’s northeastern coast can return to something resembling normal life, grateful that the worst did not come to pass. But the scars of past disasters—and the ever-present possibility of future ones—ensure that preparedness will remain a way of life for this resilient region.
