On Monday, a 7.6 magnitude preliminary earthquake struck central Japan, issuing tsunami advisories and evacuation warnings for local inhabitants.
A tsunami measuring approximately one meter in height struck portions of the Sea of Japan coastline, with NHK, a public broadcaster, predicting a larger surge.
Japan Issues Tsunami Alert After Strong Earthquake
TOPSHOT - This image taken in Hong Kong on January 1, 2024 shows a warning message on a screen from a live feed on NHK World asking people to evacuate from the area after a series of major earthquakes hit central Japan. A powerful 7.5 earthquake hit central Japan on January 1, the USGS said, prompting tsunami warnings and authorities to urge people in the area to move to higher ground.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings of tsunamis for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama. NHK reported that Hokuriku Electric Power (9505.T) stated it is inspecting its nuclear power facilities for any anomalies.
A representative of Kansai Electric Power (9503.T) stated that at this time, no unusual events were detected at the company's nuclear power facilities; however, the situation was being closely monitored.
Residents in coastal areas have received urgent advisories to promptly evacuate as waves reaching heights of up to 5 meters are anticipated to strike the shoreline forcefully. Authorities have emphasized the importance of staying in designated safe areas until all warnings have been lifted.
Residents across Tokyo and the Kanto area reported feeling the earthquake's impact on New Year's Day.
In the wake of the initial earthquake, the Sea of Japan experienced a series of powerful aftershocks within the span of an hour. Authorities have issued a cautionary statement, alerting the public to the possibility of additional tremors in the near future.
According to the broadcaster, waves exceeding 5 meters in height may have already reached Noto in Ishikawa prefecture. Additionally, the coast of Wajima city in Ishikawa has already experienced waves measuring at least 1 meter in height.
Ishikawa has been placed under a major tsunami warning, while lower-level warnings or advisories have been issued for the remaining northwestern coast of Honshu Island. According to South Korea's meteorological agency, neighboring areas may experience an increase in sea levels in certain parts of Gangwon province on the east coast following the significant earthquake in Japan.
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Japan PM Urges Authorities to Prioritize Citizens
In gripping images shared on social media, individuals could be seen seeking shelter beneath unstable tables as the earthquake struck, capturing the raw panic that ensued. Furthermore, visual evidence emerged revealing the extent of destruction inflicted upon residences in the aftermath of the tremor.
In a statement issued by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office, authorities have been urged to prioritize human life above all else and take thorough measures to prevent damage, including the evacuation of residents.
In an emergency press conference, government spokesperson Hayashi Yoshimasa informed the public that authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage caused by the recent earthquake. Yoshimasa also issued a warning to residents, urging them to be prepared for potential additional seismic activity.
In the aftermath of the earthquakes, Japan's Hokuriku Electric Power Company has reported that over 36,000 households are currently grappling with power outages.
According to NHK, Hokuriku Electric Power has announced that it is currently conducting inspections to detect any potential irregularities at its nuclear power plants.In close proximity to the earthquake's epicenter, the plant had already ceased operations at its reactors for a routine inspection before the seismic event.
In 2011, a catastrophic earthquake with a magnitude exceeding 9 on the Richter scale struck, causing widespread destruction in towns and leading to meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Japan experienced one of the most powerful earthquakes in its history in a devastating event. Tragically, over 15,000 lives were lost, and the aftermath left a staggering 450,000 individuals without homes, The Independent reported.
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