A magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, on 9 November 2025 at 5:03 pm. The tremor originated between 10 and 20 kilometres below the seabed. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially pegged it at 6.7 before bumping up the reading to 6.9.
Authorities quickly issued a tsunami advisory for Iwate Prefecture. Waves could reach up to one metre, they warned. But three hours later, the advisory was lifted—no high waves or widespread flooding materialised.
The tsunami did show up, just not with much punch. Coastal areas saw 20-centimetre waves roll in at Kuji and Ofunato. Other spots like Ominato Port, Miyako, and Kamaishi recorded 10-centimetre waves as the situation played out.
Operations Disrupted But No Major Damage
No injuries or serious property damage came out of this one. The Tohoku Shinkansen took a hit though—power went out briefly and trains stopped running between Sendai and Shin-Aomori stations. East Japan Railway confirmed the suspension.
Ofunato City, Kamaishi City, Otsuchi City, and Rikuzentakata City all issued evacuation orders. Residents got the message loud and clear through NHK and official online channels. The Japan Meteorological Agency kept tabs on aftershocks and coastal activity throughout the evening. Once they gave the all-clear, all warnings were dropped and people could breathe easy again.
