Nearly One Million Evacuated in Japan Amid Tsunami Threat Following Powerful Earthquake

Almost one million people have been evacuated in Japan due to a tsunami threat following a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off the east coast of Kamchatka on the night of July 30, 2025, according to NHK. The tremors have generated waves reaching up to three meters, which have already made landfall in Japan, resulting in several whales being washed ashore. The tsunami threat also extends to the west coast of the United States, Canada, Hawaii, and other Pacific coastal regions.

Tsunami warnings have been issued for Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and the west coast of North America, prompting residents to quickly evacuate coastal areas. In Kamchatka, where the earthquake’s epicenter was located 150 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, damage has been reported, including the collapse of a kindergarten wall; however, there are no casualties according to initial reports. Videos show waves inundating coastal infrastructures, including factories.

Various international agencies are coordinating evacuation efforts and monitoring the situation. Authorities are advising residents not to return to hazardous areas until the threat has subsided. Geophysical services have warned that aftershocks and additional waves could exacerbate the situation in the coming hours.