A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck off the northern coast of Japan on Monday evening, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning and urge residents in coastal areas to move to safer locations.

According to officials, the earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean near the northeastern region of the country at around 4:53 pm local time. The tremors were strong enough to be felt across a wide area, including parts of Tokyo.

Following the quake, Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for several coastal regions, cautioning that waves of up to 3 metres could hit affected areas.

Initial tsunami waves were recorded shortly after the earthquake, with water levels reaching around 70 to 80 centimetres at some ports in northern Japan. Authorities warned that subsequent waves could be larger and more dangerous.

Emergency alerts were broadcast across the region, urging residents to evacuate coastal zones and move to higher ground. Visuals showed ships leaving ports and emergency messages being displayed on television screens.

As a precautionary measure, bullet train services in parts of northern Japan were temporarily halted, while authorities began assessing the situation and monitoring for aftershocks.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties, but officials said the situation remained under close observation, with warnings still in place for coastal communities.

Japan, located along the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes, making rapid response systems and tsunami alerts critical for public safety.

The United States Navy fired on and seized an Iranian-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports.

The vessel was intercepted by US naval forces after it did not respond to repeated warnings. It was subsequently disabled and boarded, with US personnel taking control of the ship.

Details regarding the vessel’s cargo and the circumstances leading to the interception have not been fully disclosed.

Iran has condemned the incident, calling it a violation of international norms.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, and such incidents often raise concerns over maritime security and global energy flows.

The Strait of Hormuz has been declared open for commercial shipping during the ongoing ceasefire, but fresh conditions imposed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have raised questions over how unrestricted the passage actually is.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the crucial waterway would remain “completely open” for commercial vessels for the duration of the ceasefire. However, a separate statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) clarified that ships must comply with specific operational requirements while transiting the strait.

According to the IRGC, all vessels must obtain prior permission before entering the strait. Additionally, civilian ships are required to follow designated routes set by Iranian authorities, while military vessels continue to be prohibited from passing through.

The Guards described these measures as part of a “new order” aligned with ceasefire terms, though these details were not explicitly mentioned in the foreign minister’s initial announcement.

The differing messages have also triggered reactions within Iran, with some state-backed outlets criticising the earlier statement for lacking clarity and potentially creating confusion around the reopening of the strait.

Meanwhile, global attention remains focused on the strategic waterway, which handles a significant share of the world’s oil shipments. The reopening announcement led to a sharp drop in crude prices, reflecting expectations of improved supply flows.

US President Donald Trump also confirmed that the strait is open for passage, though he indicated that the American naval blockade targeting Iran would continue until broader negotiations are completed.

Despite the reopening, analysts suggest that the situation remains fragile, with ongoing restrictions, geopolitical tensions, and security concerns continuing to affect maritime movement through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.