Earthquake Offshore Miyagi Prefecture on February 26

On February 26, 2015 at 10:11 (JST), there was a M5.0 earthquake (maximum seismic intensity 4) at a depth of 50 km, offshore Miyagi prefecture. The focal mechanism (CMT solution) had a compression axis in an NW-SE direction. This event occurred within the Pacific plate.
For the seismic activity since October 1997, in the vicinity of the recent event (Area b), there have sometimes been earthquakes of M5.0 or over, such as a M6.1 earthquake (maximum seismic intensity 4) occurring on December 17, 2005. Outside the Area b, there was a M7.2 earthquake (maximum seismic intensity 6 Upper) on April 7, 2011, which caused damage of 4 fatalities and 296 injured persons (Fire and Disaster Management Agency).
For the seismic activity since January 1923, in the area around the recent event (Area c), there have sometimes been earthquakes of M7.0 or over, such as "the 1978 Miyagiken-Oki Earthquake" (M7.4, maximum seismic intensity 5).

Japan Meteorological Agency
[Evaluation of Seismic Activities for February 2015 (March 10, 2015)]