A strong earthquake struck western Japan on Tuesday morning, triggering a series of aftershocks and prompting warnings from authorities to remain alert as seismic activity continues in the region.
The initial quake, measuring magnitude 6.2, hit at 10:18am, registering a strong 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), reports Japan Times.
The epicentre was located in eastern Shimane Prefecture at a depth of about 10 kilometres, though tremors were felt across a wide stretch of western Japan.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that four people were taken to hospital and that some buildings sustained damage, although no official casualty or damage assessment had been released at the time of reporting.
A seismic intensity of strong 5 was recorded in Matsue and Yasugi in Shimane, as well as Sakaiminato, Hino and Kofu in neighbouring Tottori Prefecture. The JMA confirmed that no tsunami threat was associated with the quake.
By 12:50pm, at least 12 additional tremors had been recorded in the area, including a magnitude 5.1 aftershock that measured a weak 5 on the intensity scale.
The JMA also detected Level 4 long-period ground motion – the highest category – in western Tottori.
This was the first time such a level had been observed in the prefecture, and the first Level 4 alert issued nationwide since the powerful Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024.
Authorities warned that long-period ground motion can cause prolonged swaying, particularly affecting people in high-rise buildings and on large bridges.
The meteorological agency cautioned that further earthquakes of strong 5 intensity or higher could occur over the next week, with the risk especially elevated over the next two to three days.
“Seismic activity remains active in the region. There is a possibility of stronger tremors, so residents should stay vigilant,” said Ayataka Ebita, an official from the JMA’s earthquake and tsunami division.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, speaking to reporters, said the government was assessing the damage and urged residents in affected areas to prepare for potential aftershocks of similar strength.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that, as of 11am, no abnormalities had been reported at nuclear power plants in the region, including the facility in Shimane operated by Chugoku Electric Power Co.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force said it would conduct damage assessments in the affected areas.
Rail services were briefly disrupted after a power outage forced JR West to suspend operations on the Sanyo Shinkansen line between Hiroshima and Okayama. Services resumed at 1pm.
The repeated tremors and emergency alerts caused widespread anxiety, with television footage showing swaying power lines and shaking buildings, while broadcasters reporting from the area wore protective helmets.
Japan has a long history of seismic activity. In October 2000, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake in western Tottori reached a strong 6 intensity, while the January 2024 Noto Peninsula quake killed hundreds and caused extensive damage.
Tuesday’s quake is the strongest to hit Japan so far this year, highlighting continued seismic risks across the country.
