A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan on Thursday. No tsunami warning was issued, though tremors were felt as far as Tokyo.

The earthquake highlights Japan's vulnerability to seismic activity and the potential disruption to critical infrastructure like bullet train services, even without a tsunami threat.
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 struck northeastern Japan on Thursday, with the Japan Meteorological Agency confirming no tsunami warning was issued. The quake occurred off the Pacific coast of Iwate prefecture at a depth of 50 kilometers. It registered upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in Hashikami and Hachinohe, both in Aomori prefecture, meaning it would be impossible to remain standing. Upper 5 intensity was recorded in Sannohe (Aomori) and parts of Iwate prefecture, with tremors also felt in Miyagi, Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima, and Tokyo. Tohoku shinkansen bullet train services were halted between Sendai and Shin-Aomori stations following the earthquake. The affected area has experienced repeated recent seismic activity.