Japan quake jolts coast; Canada updates advisory

Canada updated its travel advisory for Japan after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the country’s northeastern coast, briefly triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders.

The Government of Canada’s advisory page briefly added tsunami-related language to its Japan advisory as the situation unfolded, then removed it later Monday (Apr. 20) after the threat eased. 

Japan’s overall advisory level remains: “Take normal security precautions.”

The quake struck at 4:53 p.m. local time at a depth of about 20 kilometres in the Pacific Ocean off northeastern Japan. 

Authorities initially warned residents to stay away from coastal areas where tsunami waves of up to three metres were possible.

About two hours later, tsunami waves as high as 80 centimetres had been recorded, and the warning was later downgraded to an advisory. 

According to Reuters, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, Japan’s top government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said as night fell in Tokyo.

Evacuation orders were issued in several coastal towns, including Otsuchi and Kamaishi, while bullet train service was halted and some highways were temporarily closed.

Following the quake, Japanese officials also warned of a heightened risk of a larger earthquake along the Japan Trench and Kuril Trench. 

The probability of a magnitude 8 or stronger quake in the coming week was put at about one per cent, up from a usual 0.1 per cent. 

Officials stressed the warning was precautionary, not a prediction.

No abnormalities were reported at idled nuclear facilities in the affected region.

Canada’s advisory notes that Japan is located in an active seismic zone and is prone to natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding and volcanic eruptions. 

It also warns that tsunamis can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake, and that the risk can remain for several hours after the first tremor. 

Travellers staying in coastal areas are advised to familiarize themselves with local evacuation plans.

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