After the 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Japan, another 6.6-magnitude quake! Chinese tourists: Fleeing for our lives, scrambling and crawling

On the night of December 8th to the early morning of December 9th, three strong earthquakes struck the eastern coast of Honshu, Japan within 24 hours. The main quake had a magnitude of 7.5 with a focal depth of 50 km, followed by aftershocks measuring 5.6 and 6.6. A Chinese tourist in Aomori Prefecture described, “The whole building was shaking. I crawled and rolled into the bathroom to hide. This is the biggest earthquake I’ve ever experienced in my life.”

Terrifying Timeline of Three Quakes in 24 Hours

According to official data from the China Earthquake Networks Center, at 11:15 PM local time on December 8th, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the offshore area east of Honshu, Japan (latitude 41.00°N, longitude 142.35°E) at a depth of 50 km. This was one of the strongest earthquakes in the region since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Just 18 minutes later, at 11:33 PM local time, another 5.6 magnitude quake hit offshore eastern Aomori Prefecture, with a maximum seismic intensity of 3.

Japanese broadcaster NHK interrupted regular programming for emergency live coverage, repeatedly urging local residents to evacuate to safety as soon as possible. Seismic intensity data and tsunami warnings scrolled across the screen, with anchors urgently repeating evacuation orders. When most people thought the disaster had subsided, at 6:52 AM on the 9th, another magnitude 6.6 quake struck offshore eastern Honshu (latitude 40.95°N, longitude 143.45°E) at a depth of 30 km.

As of 1:56 AM on the 9th local time, tsunami waves triggered by the earthquake were observed in multiple parts of Japan. In Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, tsunami waves reached a height of 70 cm, while Hokkaido, Aomori Prefecture, and other areas observed waves between 10 and 50 cm. At 6:20 AM local time on the 9th (5:20 AM Beijing time), the Japan Meteorological Agency lifted all tsunami warnings but emphasized that aftershock risks remain.

Chinese Tourists Experience Hellish Shaking Firsthand

“Suddenly all electronic devices started issuing earthquake alerts, and the entire building immediately began to shake. I was on the third floor of Aomoriya in Aomori Prefecture. This is the biggest earthquake I’ve ever experienced in my life. I crawled and rolled into the bathroom to hide. It shook for a long time before finally stopping, then I got dressed and went downstairs.” A Chinese tourist in Aomori Prefecture told reporters that upon going downstairs, they saw many people in the hotel lobby. Just as they stepped outside for some air, another alarm sounded, signaling the second wave of aftershocks.

The tourist’s account reveals the horror of the moment: cell phones, TVs, and radios all emitted piercing alarm sounds, followed by violent shaking of the entire building. Although Japan’s wooden and steel-structured buildings are earthquake-resistant, a 7.5-magnitude quake still causes significant shaking. Bathrooms are considered relatively safe during earthquakes due to their dense pipes and sturdy construction. Many tourists reported that the quake lasted much longer than expected, with the main tremor shaking for as long as 40 to 50 seconds, accompanied by falling objects and creaking sounds from the building.

According to reports in the early morning of the 9th, multiple people in Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture were injured in the quake, mostly from falls or being struck by falling objects. Local governments in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures have issued evacuation orders, requiring coastal residents to immediately move to higher ground.

Nuclear Plant Safety Becomes Top Concern

Emergency Response Status at Five Nuclear Plants

Tomari Nuclear Power Plant, Hokkaido: Shaking of seismic intensity 2 observed; both reactors have been offline for a long time; no abnormalities detected; radiation levels unchanged.

Higashidori Nuclear Power Plant, Aomori Prefecture: Shaking of seismic intensity 5+ observed; reactor offline for a long time; no abnormalities detected; radiation levels unchanged.

Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant, Miyagi Prefecture: No abnormalities detected; Unit 2 is being restarted, Unit 1 is being decommissioned, Unit 3 is shut down; radiation levels unchanged.

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: Nuclear wastewater discharge operations were urgently halted due to tsunami warnings; no abnormalities detected; radiation levels unchanged.

Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant: No abnormalities detected; radiation levels unchanged.

According to reports received by Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority, all nuclear plants immediately initiated emergency response procedures after the earthquake. Discharge of treated nuclear wastewater at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was halted as soon as the tsunami warning was issued—the first interruption of discharge operations due to an earthquake since they began. The Japanese government emphasized that radiation monitoring data from all nuclear plants showed no abnormal fluctuations, but continuous monitoring remains in place.

The shadow of the Fukushima nuclear disaster triggered by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake still hangs over Japan, and every strong earthquake sparks intense public concern over nuclear safety. This quake’s epicenter was about 200 km from Fukushima Daiichi. Although the seismic intensity was relatively low, tsunami warnings still prompted precautionary measures at nuclear facilities.

Japan Meteorological Agency Issues Stern Warning

In a press conference in the early morning of the 9th, the Japan Meteorological Agency urged local residents to remain vigilant for the possibility of similar-magnitude earthquakes in the coming week. Agency officials stated that this was a reverse fault-type earthquake at the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, which typically brings strong aftershocks. The agency also warned there is a risk of even stronger earthquakes, not ruling out the possibility of a magnitude 8 or higher quake in the coming days.

The Chinese Consulate-General in Sapporo issued an emergency reminder, urging Chinese citizens in the consular district, especially those in Hokkaido, the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, and Iwate Prefecture, to follow local government evacuation instructions, be prepared for emergencies, stay away from the coast, and ensure personal safety. According to preliminary seismic parameters from China’s National Tsunami Warning Center, the earthquake may trigger localized tsunamis around the epicenter, but will not affect China’s coastal areas.