ANTARA NEWS



 

Indonesia’s embassy in Tokyo urged its nationals in Japan to stay calm and alert after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off Aomori Prefecture late Monday, triggering brief tsunami warnings in the country’s northeast.

In a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday, the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) reminded nationals that earthquakes are frequent in Japan and called on them to remain composed and attentive to official information.

The embassy urged Indonesians to monitor updates from Japanese media and follow instructions from local authorities at all times.

It also advised residents to study evacuation routes and prepare emergency bags containing essential documents, medicine, and sufficient cash.

As of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, the embassy said it had received no reports of Indonesians harmed or affected by the quake.

Indonesians facing emergencies were asked to contact the embassy’s hotline at +81-80-3506-8612 or +81-80-4940-7419, or the Indonesian consulate in Osaka at +81-80-3113-1003.

KBRI stressed that staying informed and prepared remained crucial for Indonesian communities across Japan.

It said close cooperation with Japanese authorities was vital to ensure the safety of all residents in a country highly prone to major seismic events.

The embassy added that it would continue monitoring the situation and would issue updates when necessary.

It also encouraged Indonesians to register with embassy community networks to receive rapid alerts and assistance during emergencies.

Meanwhile, Kyodo News reported that Japan’s Meteorological Agency has increased the likelihood of another quake of similar or greater magnitude striking the same region in the coming days.

The 7.5-magnitude quake shook northeastern Japan late Monday, prompting tsunami warnings for coastal areas of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate before the alerts were lifted several hours later.

Kyodo noted it was the first time such warnings had been issued for Hokkaido and the Sanriku coast, which stretches from Aomori through Iwate and into Miyagi.

The Japanese Cabinet Office urged the public to stay on heightened alert for at least a week and to keep emergency kits accessible in case immediate evacuation becomes necessary.

Kyodo also recalled that the 2011 M9.0 megaquake, which left nearly 20,000 dead and more than 2,500 missing, struck the same northeastern region and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.