Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes off Aomori Prefecture, no tsunami warning issued

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.5 hit waters off Japan’s northern Aomori Prefecture on Sunday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued.

The quake struck at 10:29 a.m. local time along Aomori’s Pacific coastline, with its focus about 50 kilometers below the surface. It registered a seismic intensity of 4 on Japan’s seven-level scale. The epicenter was pinpointed near 40.7 degrees north latitude and 142.3 degrees east longitude.

While the meteorological agency lifted a week-long advisory on Monday that had warned of an elevated risk of another major quake—following a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake that hit northern and northeastern Japan on December 8—officials continue to urge residents to stay alert and prepared.