Post by : Badri Ariffin

An earthquake registering 7.2 on the Richter scale hit off the northeastern Japanese coast on Thursday morning, coinciding with the rush hour. Authorities assured there is no tsunami threat.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed the quake was measured at a magnitude of 7.2 after initially estimating it at 6.9. Occurring at a depth of about 50 kilometers (30 miles) off Iwate Prefecture, it drew comparisons to previous seismic activity in the area.

The region has been the site of multiple seismic events recently, with a notable quake in December prompting a weeklong advisory for heightened seismic activity.

The tremor could be felt throughout Japan's northeastern region, including a mild sensation in Tokyo. As of Thursday morning, no significant injuries or damage have been reported, according to Minoru Kihara, the Japanese government spokesperson.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the emergency response team was mobilized and actively monitoring the circumstances.

"Our top priority is the safety of the people," Takaichi expressed to press personnel in Tokyo, while officials gathered information and coordinated potential relief efforts.

She further advised residents in affected areas to remain vigilant for aftershocks.

In Aomori Prefecture, principal Tomoko Nagane reported to NHK that she was in her car when the earthquake warning was issued, experiencing moderate lateral shaking. Fortunately, students who were at school remained safe, although some were understandably anxious.

As a safety measure, classes were canceled and children were sent home securely, Nagane noted.

NHK reports from impacted cities such as Sendai and Morioka confirmed the shaking lasted for several minutes, yet no serious damage was observed, and normal activities resumed shortly after.

Meanwhile, the East Japan Railway Company announced temporary suspensions of bullet train services and local rail lines in the northeast for safety assessments.

Authorities have also affirmed that nuclear facilities in the region are unaffected. Minoru Kihara stated there were no anomalies reported at nuclear power plants, including the Fukushima Daiichi facility, which had previously faced substantial destruction during the 2011 disaster.

Similarly, a spent fuel reprocessing site in Aomori confirmed no complications resulting from the quake.

Japan sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a hotspot for seismic activity, rendering the nation particularly susceptible to earthquakes.

What was the magnitude of the Japan earthquake on Thursday?
The earthquake was recorded at a 7.2 magnitude by the Japan Meteorological Agency, with the US Geological Survey reporting it as 6.9.

Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan.

Was a tsunami warning issued?
No tsunami warning was announced; the meteorological agency confirmed no threat.

Were there any casualties or major damage?
No injuries or significant damage have been reported as of now.

Were train services affected?
Yes, several bullet trains and local rail services were halted for safety inspections.

Did the earthquake affect nuclear facilities?
No issues were reported at nuclear power stations, including Fukushima Daiichi.

#Japan News #Global Updates #Japan Earthquake #World News