The aftermath of the earthquake was immediately visible, with reports of ground cracks emerging in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan. The impact prompted Japanese authorities to issue a major tsunami warning for the Noto Peninsula and the surrounding Ishikawa Prefecture. Subsequently, the warning was downgraded after five hours to a tsunami advisory. The revised advisory indicated that waves, initially forecasted to reach up to 5 meters (approximately 16 feet) near the epicenter, were expected to be as high as 3 meters (about 10 feet).

With urgency, authorities directed residents to move to higher ground, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office issued a statement urging immediate evacuation for those in the proximity of the affected areas. Residents were cautioned against approaching the coast and advised to stay away from waterways.

Tsunami threats extended along Japan's west coast, according to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center. Outside the major warning zone, a tsunami advisory encompassed the entire Sea of Japan side of the main island of Honshu and Western Hokkaido island.

This incident marked the first time since 2011, when a devastating 9.0-magnitude quake struck Tohoku, that a major tsunami warning had been issued. Initial reports indicated that tsunami waves had begun hitting land on Monday evening, with some reaching approximately 1.2 meters along the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa, and Niigata prefectures. Waves were reported as far north as Hokkaido Prefecture.

Prime Minister Kishida addressed the nation, expressing the government's commitment to collecting information and assessing the situation. A dedicated disaster response office was set up, emphasizing the administration's top priority of saving lives. Kishida urged local residents in affected areas to evacuate promptly and called for vigilance across the region, as the possibility of further earthquakes loomed.

The seismic impact extended beyond the epicenter, reaching Tokyo, where residents felt the tremors, causing power lines and light fixtures to sway. The situation continues to unfold as authorities work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.