Tokyo: A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off northern Japan late Monday, injuring 30 people and generating tsunami waves along Pacific coast communities, officials reported.

The quake hit around 11:15 p.m. (7:45 p.m. IST) in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 80 kilometres off Aomori prefecture on Honshu island. Japan’s Meteorological Agency recorded tsunami waves up to 70 centimetres in Kuji port, Iwate prefecture, and 50 centimetres in other coastal areas, initially warning of surges up to 3 meters before downgrading to advisory.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said 30 people were injured in the quake off the coast of the Aamori region.

Convenience store owner Nobuo Yamada in Hachinohe told NHK, “I’ve never experienced such a big shaking,” noting power lines remained operational.

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