Japan experienced a 6.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture last night, with shaking reaching level 5 in several cities. There is no tsunami risk, but authorities have warned residents to remain vigilant for repeated tremors in the coming week.
On 16 May 2026 GMT+7, Japan's Meteorological Agency reported a 6.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan last Friday night. The earthquake's epicenter was approximately 46 kilometers beneath the sea.
The strongest shaking was recorded at level 5 on Japan's 0 to 7 seismic intensity scale in the cities of Ishinomaki, Tome, and Osaki, all in Miyagi Prefecture, causing residents in many areas to clearly feel the tremors.
NHK reported that authorities confirmed this earthquake did not pose a tsunami risk and did not meet the criteria to issue a megathrust earthquake warning along the coast of Hokkaido and the Sanriku region. Although there is no tsunami warning, Japanese officials have urged residents in affected areas to remain alert for possible aftershocks, which could reach intensity levels close to 5, over approximately the next week.
Source: NHK