Japan faces heightened seismic risk after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off Aomori late Monday night.

The tremor injured at least 33 people and triggered tsunami waves that reached 70 centimetres in several coastal towns. Officials urged residents to remain alert and prepare evacuation plans as the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level warning for a possible megaquake.

The quake hit around 11:15 p.m. in the Pacific Ocean, about 50 miles from Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Honshu. Authorities ordered nearly 90,000 residents to move to higher ground, causing traffic jams and accidents during the evacuation rush. Nuclear power plants in the northeastern region, including Fukushima Daiichi, paused operations to conduct urgent safety checks.

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