Japan quake death toll rises to 33, massive tsunami warnings issued

A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's northern coast late on Monday (8 December), claiming 33 lives and injuring dozens more, authorities said on Tuesday.

The quake, centred about 80 kilometres off Aomori Prefecture in the Pacific Ocean, rocked the northern Honshu region shortly after 11:15 pm local time. The US Geological Survey recorded it at 7.6 magnitude, with the epicentre 44 kilometres below the surface.

Tsunami warnings were issued for coastal areas, prompting evacuations of over 100,000 residents in Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Waves up to 70 centimetres were recorded at Kuji port in Iwate, damaging oyster rafts along the shore. Warnings were later downgraded to advisories, with no threat to Hawaii or Guam.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced an emergency task force, telling reporters: "We are putting people's lives first and doing everything we can." She urged vigilance against aftershocks, including a 6.7-magnitude tremor on Tuesday morning.

High-speed rail services were suspended, and caution was heightened in Fukushima Prefecture, site of the 2011 nuclear disaster. Damage assessments are ongoing, with more than 20 injuries initially reported across the region.