The quake hit 130km north-east of the city of Kuji in Iwate prefecture, according to the US Geological Survey.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM USGS.GOV
Published Dec 12, 2025, 10:54 AM
Updated Dec 12, 2025, 11:29 AM
TOKYO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 hit Japan’s northeastern region on Dec 12, prompting a tsunami advisory from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The quake struck at 11.44 am (10.44am Singapore time), days after a bigger, 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the same region.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit 130km north-east of the city of Kuji in Iwate prefecture.
The JMA issued an advisory for a possible tsunami of up to 1 metre, with the Japan News reporting that the tsunami could hit Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures between noon and 1.20pm.
National broadcaster NHK said that there is no tsunami damage expected after the latest quake.
In a Facebook post on Dec 12, the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo advised Singaporeans in the affected areas to keep away from coasts and river mouths, which could overflow.
They also urged them to continue to evacuate until all advisories are lifted.
“Please monitor the local conditions closely and refer to the following websites for the latest updates and warnings/advisories,” it said.
Earlier on Dec 12, Xinhua reported that a 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Hokkaido.
After the Dec 8 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.
The tremor on Dec 12 measured four on Japan’s one to seven seismic intensity scale.
More to come. REUTERS
Additional reporting by Gabrielle Andres