Japan closes 114 schools after magnitude 7.2 earthquake

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck off the coast of Japan's northeastern Iwate Prefecture on Thursday (June 25), injuring at least 11 people, damaging buildings and disrupting transport, while renewing concerns about seismic activity in the region.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 44 km (27 miles) at around 7:30 a.m. local time, Caliber.Az reports per Korean media.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially estimated the magnitude at 6.9 before revising it to 7.2. Strong shaking measuring upper 6 on Japan's seismic intensity scale was recorded in parts of neighbouring Aomori Prefecture.

Authorities said nine people suffered minor injuries in Aomori, while two women in Iwate sustained serious injuries after falls. No fatalities were reported.

The quake damaged buildings, cracked walls and shattered windows in several areas. In Hachinohe, exterior walls fell from commercial buildings, while damage to water tanks caused flooding and temporary water supply disruptions.

Rail services were also affected, with the Tohoku Shinkansen suspended for several hours before operations resumed later in the day. A total of 114 schools in Aomori and Iwate prefectures were temporarily closed.

The JMA said there was no threat of a tsunami, although minor sea-level fluctuations were observed along the coast. It warned residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks over the coming week.

The latest tremor follows a series of strong earthquakes that have struck northeastern Japan since late 2025, including several events exceeding magnitude 7.0 in the Sanriku offshore region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev