The 1968 Tokachi earthquake (1968年十勝沖地震 Sen-kyūhyaku-rokujūhachi-nen Tokachi-oki Jishin) occurred on May 16 at 0:49 UTC (09:49 local time) in the area offshore of Aomori and Hokkaido.

[5] The focal mechanism of this earthquake showed movement on a thrust fault with a considerable slip-strike component.

[6] Heavy rain occurred due to a low pressure system in the days leading up to the earthquake and aggravated the damage.

[7] In Aomori Prefecture, there was damage to railroads and highways in more than 200 places caused by collapses of artificial embankments.

The three-story building of Hachinohe Technical College suffered severe damage.