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Japan Earthquakes — Key Recent Events & What to Know

📰 Recent Major Quakes

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan at 16 km depth on 9 November 2025. A tsunami advisory was issued and later lifted. No immediate major damage reported.

A magnitude 5.7 quake shook Hokkaido on 24 October 2025 at 10 km depth. Again, no major casualties or structural damage were confirmed at the time of reporting.

From 21 June 2025, the isolated Tokara Islands region (Kagoshima Prefecture) experienced a swarm of 900 + quakes in two weeks, with the strongest around magnitude 5.5. Residents were evacuated, and authorities warned of possible larger quakes.

🌍 Why Japan Is So Prone to Earthquakes

Japan sits at the convergence of multiple tectonic plates (Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, North American) along the “Ring of Fire”.
According to historical data, Japan has experienced numerous major earthquakes (magnitude 7 or higher) in the past decades.

📊 Key Statistics & Patterns

Many quakes are shallow (within 10–20 km depth), which often cause stronger surface shaking.

Swarms (many smaller tremors) can precede larger events—example: Tokara Islands.

Tsunami advisories are common following offshore quakes due to the risk of waves even with moderate magnitudes.

Despite advanced infrastructure and early warning systems, risk remains — large earthquake possibilities persist (e.g., Nankai Trough region).

✅ What This Means for Residents & Travelers

Stay alert for aftershocks, especially within hours to days of a strong quake.

Follow tsunami advisories: if issued, evacuate to higher ground or follow designated evacuation routes.

For visitors: even though major damage isn’t always the result, feel free to travel, but download official alert apps (e.g., the JMA Earthquake Early Warning app) and familiarise yourself with local evacuation procedures.

Ensure your accommodation is in a building conforming to Japan’s seismic-resistant standards – most modern buildings are, but always check.

📝 Final Note

Japan’s earthquake risk is real, but it is mitigated by some of the world’s most advanced preparedness systems. These recent events (Iwate 6.9, Hokkaido 5.7, Tokara swarm) remind us of both nature’s unpredictability and the importance of readiness.