Tsunami Devastates Japan's Northwest Coast After Powerful Earthquake

Japan: A catastrophic 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan today, unleashing a series of subsequent tremors that have triggered tsunami warnings along the coast. The earthquake, centered in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture, struck at 4:10 pm local time, prompting urgent evacuation orders as authorities brace for the potential onslaught of hazardous tsunami waves.

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Videos circulating on social media show the first waves of the tsunami hitting Toyama city in Toyama Prefecture. Waves reaching a height of 1.2 meters struck Wajima port in Ishikawa prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The US Geological Survey reported a rapid succession of quakes in the Noto region, intensifying the crisis.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a televised address, asked citizens to follow evacuation orders closely and warned that more powerful quakes and tsunami waves might follow the initial ones. As central Japan grapples with the aftermath of the earthquake, damage reports are emerging, including collapsed houses, halted bullet trains, closed highways, and burst water pipes.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a national broadcast, stating that more major quakes could hit the area over the next week. The nation remains on high alert, reminiscent of the devastating 2011 tsunami, as the government implements emergency response measures.