An earthquake that occurred off the coast of eastern Aomori Prefecture around 11:15 p.m. yesterday had a magnitude of 7.5, with a seismic intensity of 6 upper observed in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. In the Tokai region, a seismic intensity of 1 was also observed in parts of Nagoya City, Aichi, Gifu, and Mie.

Around the Japan Trench and the Kuril Trench, massive earthquakes accompanied by tsunamis have occurred repeatedly in the past.

Following this earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued the first-ever “Hokkaido and Sanriku Offshore Aftershock Attention Information,” stating that the possibility of a “massive aftershock” occurring off the Pacific coast of northern Japan is higher than usual.

Although the Tokai region is not included in the “target area” for which about one week of disaster prevention response is requested, there are things to know…

Aomori Prefecture

Aomori Prefecture, located at the northern tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu, is a region rich in nature and ancient history, most famously as the heart of the prehistoric Jōmon period. Its history is deeply tied to the indigenous Ainu culture and later samurai clans, with key historical sites including the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site, one of Japan’s largest and best-preserved Jōmon settlements. Today, it is renowned for its vibrant Nebuta Festival, pristine Shirakami-Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage beech forests, and as a major producer of apples.

Hachinohe City

Hachinohe City is a major port and industrial center in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, with a history dating back to the Jōmon period. It flourished as a castle town under the Nanbu clan during the Edo period and later developed its modern economy around fishing, steel, and shipping. Today, it is also known for its vibrant festivals, such as the Hachinohe Sansha Taisai, and its scenic coastal landscapes.

Tokai region

The Tokai region is a coastal area in central Japan along the Pacific Ocean, encompassing Aichi, Mie, Shizuoka, and Gifu prefectures. Historically, it was a vital transportation corridor known as the **Tōkaidō road**, which connected Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto during the feudal era. Today, it is a major industrial and cultural hub, famous as the home of Toyota Motor Corporation, historic Nagoya Castle, and the revered Ise Grand Shrine.

Nagoya City

Nagoya City is a major urban center in central Japan, historically founded as a castle town in the early 17th century around Nagoya Castle, the seat of the powerful Owari Tokugawa clan. Today, it is a modern industrial and economic hub, known globally for companies like Toyota, while also preserving cultural landmarks such as the reconstructed castle, Atsuta Shrine, and its distinctive local cuisine.

Aichi

Aichi is a prefecture in central Japan, best known as the home of the historic city of Nagoya and the headquarters of major companies like Toyota. Its cultural significance is deeply tied to the samurai era, being the birthplace of the powerful Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu—the three great unifiers of Japan. Key sites include Nagoya Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and the Atsuta Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, which houses the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.

Gifu

Gifu is a city in central Japan, historically significant as the base of the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga in the late 16th century, who renamed it from “Inokuchi” and used it to help unify the country. Today, it is famous for its traditional **cormorant fishing (ukai)** on the Nagara River, a practice with over 1,300 years of history, and for Gifu Castle, which overlooks the city from Mount Kinka.

Mie

Mie is a prefecture located in central Japan, known for its significant spiritual and historical sites. It is most famous as the home of the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingū), one of Shinto’s most sacred sites, which has been ritually rebuilt every 20 years since the 7th century. The region also boasts a rich samurai heritage, scenic coastlines, and is a center for pearl cultivation.

Japan Trench

The Japan Trench is a deep oceanic trench in the northwest Pacific Ocean, forming part of the boundary where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the Okhotsk Plate. This geologically active area, reaching depths of over 8,000 meters, is historically significant for generating devastating earthquakes and tsunamis, most notably the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.