The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the earthquake struck today at 16h53 local time (14h53 Hanoi time) at a depth of 10 km, off the eastern coast of Honshu island. The agency issued a tsunami warning for waves up to 3 meters for Iwate, Aomori, and parts of Hokkaido.

Location of the earthquake (red crosshatch) off Honshu island on 20/4. *Graphics: Japan News*.

Japan is one of the world's most seismically active nations, situated in a complex tectonic zone. Four of the dozens of major tectonic plates forming Earth's surface converge in Japan. Earthquakes frequently occur along the fault lines between these plates.

Located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan experiences about 20% of all strong earthquakes, measuring 6 magnitude or higher, recorded globally.

In 2011, a 9 magnitude earthquake off Japan's northeastern coast triggered a tsunami up to 40 meters high. It struck areas like Iwate prefecture, sweeping 10 km inland and causing the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

*Updates to follow*.

Huyen Le (According to Reuters, NHK, Yomiuri Shimbun)