Over 170,000 evacuated as earthquake shakes Japan

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s eastern coast on April 20, 2026, prompting tsunami warnings that caused more than 170,000 residents to evacuate to safer ground. The earthquake shook Japan’s northern Tohoku region and could be felt as far away as the capital. Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned of more quakes of a similar magnitude in the coming week. There were no immediate reports of casualties or heavy damage.