Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Japan, a country located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and the intersection of four major tectonic plates, was once again rocked by a significant earthquake.
On Monday night, December 8, 2025, at approximately 11:15 PM local time, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori.
Advertisement
This event immediately triggered a tsunami warning in three coastal areas, including Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, although it was later downgraded to a tsunami advisory.
As reported by NHK World Japan, the initial impact of the earthquake caused injuries to dozens of people and power outages in thousands of homes.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) even issued a warning of the potential for increased 'megaquake' activity in the future, an unprecedented move since this warning category was introduced in 2022.
Details of the Significant Recent Earthquake
The earthquake that struck Japan on December 8, 2025, was recorded as a magnitude 7.5 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), while the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) revised it down from 7.6 to 7.5.
The epicenter was estimated to be in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori, the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Honshu.
The earthquake's depth varied between 44 and 51 kilometers, which affected the intensity of the shaking.
A strong tremor with an intensity above 6 on the Japan Seismic Intensity Scale was recorded in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, indicating the earthquake's significant strength.
A tsunami warning issued immediately after the earthquake caused waves up to 70 centimeters high at Kuji Port, Iwate, although smaller waves were also recorded in Aomori and Hokkaido.
In addition, the earthquake resulted in at least 33 injuries, one of whom was seriously injured, mostly by falling objects.
Approximately 2,700 homes in Aomori experienced power outages, and Shinkansen bullet train service on the Tohoku Line was temporarily suspended for safety checks.
Approximately 90,000 residents were also ordered to evacuate, with hundreds seeking shelter at Hachinohe Air Base.
The Threat of 'Megaquakes' and the Limitations of Earthquake Prediction
Following the December 8, 2025 earthquake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a significant warning regarding the increased likelihood of 'megaquakes,' or earthquakes with a magnitude of 8 or higher.
This warning is in effect for the next week along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba, marking the first such warning since the system launched in 2022.
While the probability of a 'megaquake' remains statistically low, the warning aims to increase public awareness and preparedness.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) emphasizes that valid earthquake predictions must include the specific date, time, location, and magnitude, which is not yet possible with current technology.
Research is ongoing, including the development of AI algorithms that show potential in earthquake prediction.
The JMA's warning of a 'megaquake' is a probabilistic forecast based on statistical data and tectonic conditions, not a definitive indication of a major earthquake.
Japan's Long History of Earthquakes
Japan has a long and troubled history of major earthquakes, given its location in one of the world's most active seismic zones.
Each year, Japan experiences approximately 1,500 felt earthquakes, with seismic activity recorded approximately every five minutes.
One of the most tragic events was the 9.1 magnitude Tohoku Earthquake in 2011, which triggered a devastating tsunami.
This disaster killed nearly 20,000 people and triggered the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, leaving a deep trauma for the Japanese nation.
In early 2024, the Noto Peninsula was also struck by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake, killing more than 200 people.
History also records the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, which killed more than 100,000 people around Tokyo, as well as other significant earthquakes such as the 2004 Chūetsu Earthquake and the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.