Strong tremors, tsunami warnings remind residents of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
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The earthquake on Dec 8, 2025, registered an upper six on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of seven in the city of Hachinohe.
PHOTO: THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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TOKYO – The powerful tremors that rattled the Tohoku region and Hokkaido
The earthquake, with its epicentre in the waters off Aomori Prefecture, forced residents in the affected areas to spend the night in evacuation centres.
“It was a tremendous shake, just like what I experienced in the Great East Japan Earthquake,” said the 78-year-old owner of an inn in Hachinohe in the prefecture.
The earthquake registered an upper six on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of seven in the city and a lower six in the neighbouring towns of Oirase and Hashikami in the prefecture.
When the earthquake struck, the owner was at home inside the inn. Plates fell from shelves and smashed on the floor.
“All I could do was protect myself,” he said.
The safety of two lodging guests was confirmed, and no power outage occurred. However, he said: “I have to clean up the mess inside the building. I just don’t know where to start.”
A collapsed torii shrine gate was seen in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, on the morning of Dec 9.
PHOTO: THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
In Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, residents evacuated to higher ground after a tsunami warning was issued.
Calls for evacuation blared on a community public address system, filling the city with a tense atmosphere.
About 50 people evacuated to a gymnasium at Kamaishi Municipal Elementary School, which is located on high ground in the city.
“We put on warm clothes, grabbed medicine, hand warmers and a little food, and fled immediately,” said a 79-year-old woman, who evacuated with her husband.
“The community address system reminds me of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and I feel very uneasy.”
In Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, police officers helped residents evacuate safely on the streets.
A 54-year-old woman hastily went up a slope with her three family members and their pet dog.
“At first, I wasn’t convinced I should evacuate, but then the tsunami warning was issued, so I rushed to evacuate. It’s late at night, so I’m scared,” she said.
Vehicles were seen heading to high ground about 2km inland from the coast in the city of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, late into Dec 8.
PHOTO: THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
In Urakawa, Hokkaido, the 49-year-old owner of an inn located by the sea evacuated eight groups of guests from the facility upon receiving a tsunami warning. He then drove himself to a nearby gymnasium.
“The intense shaking lasted about 40 seconds. In July, evacuation orders were issued in the town due to a tsunami warning,” the owner said, recalling the time when an earthquake occurred near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
“Remembering that, I was able to act calmly.” THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
