Is it Protected to Journey to Japan? What to Know Concerning the ‘Megaquake’ Alert

A strong earthquake struck the coast of northern Japan on Monday, triggering short-term tsunami warnings which have since been lifted. As of 12:29 p.m. native time on April 20, Japan is at a slightly elevated risk of experiencing a megaquake over the following week, in response to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Monday’s earthquake occurred on April 20, 2026 off the coast of Sanriku, Iwate Prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometers (round 6.21 miles), at 4:53 p.m. native time, per the JMA. The earthquake was a magnitude 7.7 on the Richter scale, with an depth of higher 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 within the hardest-hit areas.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center‘s latest tsunami warning for Japan, “based on all available data… the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed.” The advisory was initially issued for Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, Hokkaido, Aomori, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures.

In a press briefing following Monday’s earthquake, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi knowledgeable reporters that authorities are doing their “utmost to assess the damage, implement emergency disaster response measures such as search and rescue operations, and provide timely and accurate information to the public,” per the Associated Press. “At this time, we are still confirming the extent of human and material damage, but we will receive detailed reports shortly and proceed with disaster response efforts,” the prime minister added.

Japan subject megaquake advisory

During the April 20 news conference, Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported that there’s a 1% probability {that a} megaquake may happen in northern Japan within the subsequent week following Monday’s earthquake. The alert applies to 182 cities and cities from Hokkaido to Chiba, NHK studies. No evacuation orders are presently in place for the affected areas.

While not a exact scientific designation, a megaquake is generally considered a large seismic event placed at an eight or higher on the Richter scale that ruptures along major faults and can trigger further events like tsunamis. The typical regional risk of a megaquake is placed at 0.1%, meaning the likelihood of the event has increased tenfold. Officials clarified that the announcement was not a prediction and encouraged residents to resume their daily lives with increased preparedness measures, such as assembling emergency food supplies and go bags.

What travelers should know

As of April 20, the US journey advisory for Japan locations the nation at a stage one, which states that vacationers ought to “exercise normal precautions.” The US embassy in Japan reminds travelers that when a tsunami alert is issued, they should stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways, follow instructions from local officials, and follow evacuation orders by local government until all advisories are lifted.

The country’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said there were no reports of abnormalities at key coastal nuclear plants at the time of writing, but assessments are ongoing, per the AP.

US citizens can “stay updated through official sources such as NOAA Weather Radio, Coast Guard emergency frequencies, Japan Meteorological Agency, and local news,” the Japanese embassy advises. The US State Department additionally recommends enrolling within the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain info and alerts and make it simpler to find you in an emergency abroad.

A model of this text was initially printed on Condé Nast Traveller UK. This is a creating information story and shall be up to date with info. Additional reporting by Kat Chen.