Tokyo, Japan — April 23, 2026

Just five days ago, on April 20, a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast near Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, shaking much of northeastern Japan. The tremor, centered about 100 kilometers east-northeast of Miyako at a depth of 35 kilometers, triggered tsunami warnings and caused waves of up to 80 centimeters along the coast. Strong shaking was felt across the Tohoku region and even reached Tokyo, disrupting train services and prompting widespread safety checks.

Although Japan’s infrastructure proved resilient, authorities continue to warn of aftershock risks in the coming week. Emergency services remain on alert, and transport systems are operating under heightened safety protocols.

In response to this seismic event, HQtest Travel Safety News has issued a travel advisory for American citizens. The notice strongly recommends that women and children avoid traveling to Japan for the time being, citing elevated vulnerability during potential aftershocks and possible disruption to emergency services.

Japan, located on the volatile Ring of Fire, experiences frequent earthquakes, but the scale of this recent tremor underscores the unpredictability of seismic activity. Travelers are urged to postpone non-essential trips until conditions stabilize and official safety updates confirm reduced risk.