Additional Coverage:
Earthquakes Rattle Western Japan, No Tsunami Threat
Western Japan experienced a series of earthquakes late Tuesday morning local time, with the strongest registering a magnitude of 6.2. The tremors were centered in Shimane and neighboring Tottori Prefectures.
The initial quake struck at 10:18 a.m. JST, with a depth of approximately 6 miles.
It registered an upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, known for its long, swaying motion. A subsequent tremor, measuring magnitude 5.1, followed shortly after, registering a lower 5.
Several aftershocks continued throughout the late morning.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has confirmed there is no tsunami risk, but has issued a warning that earthquakes up to upper-5 intensity could persist for approximately a week, with the highest risk anticipated in the next two to three days. Officials also cautioned residents in harder-hit areas about increased risks of landslides and falling rocks.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far. Regional electric power companies stated that no abnormalities were detected. While bullet train services experienced temporary disruptions, cameras mounted on buildings visibly captured the shaking.
The most intense shaking was recorded in parts of Matsue and Yasugi in Shimane, and Sakaiminato and nearby towns in Tottori. Weaker but widely felt shaking extended across other parts of western Japan, including Okayama, Hiroshima, Kagawa, and Ehime.