A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck parts of western Japan on Tuesday morning, jolting Shimane and Tottori prefectures and briefly disrupting transportation services, though no tsunami warning or casualties were reported.
According to local media citing the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the main tremor occurred at 10:18 a.m. local time, with its epicentre located in eastern Shimane Prefecture at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres. The quake registered upper 5 on Japan’s seven-point seismic intensity scale, indicating strong shaking capable of causing damage to unsecured objects and infrastructure.
The initial shock was followed by a series of aftershocks in the region. A quake measuring lower 5, or magnitude 5.1, was recorded at around 10:28 a.m., followed by another tremor registering 4 on the seismic intensity scale, corresponding to a magnitude of 5.4, at about 10:37 a.m. These subsequent quakes added to public concern but did not result in reported injuries or major structural damage.
Japan’s weather agency confirmed that no tsunami warning or advisory was issued following the earthquake, easing fears of coastal impact in the Sea of Japan region. Authorities continued to monitor seismic activity closely, given the frequency of aftershocks in tectonically active zones.
Officials at the Shimane nuclear power plant, located in Matsue city, stated that inspections conducted after the quake found no abnormalities in plant operations. The confirmation was issued shortly after the tremors, as nuclear safety remains a critical concern in Japan following past disasters.
The earthquake led to temporary disruptions in rail services across parts of western Japan. Bullet train operations on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line were halted between Okayama and Hiroshima stations due to a power outage triggered by the initial shock. Railway operator JR West said services on the affected section were expected to resume around 1 p.m., while other sections of the line experienced delays. Local media reported that safety checks were carried out before restoring operations.
Despite the intensity of the tremors, no injuries or fatalities were reported by authorities as of the latest updates. Emergency services and local governments remained on alert to respond to any delayed impacts or infrastructure issues.
Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where multiple tectonic plates converge. Earthquakes of varying intensity are common, and the country maintains a comprehensive early warning and disaster preparedness system.
The latest quake follows another seismic event recorded on December 31 last year, when an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan. That tremor occurred at a depth of about 30 kilometres and registered 4 on the seismic intensity scale in Morioka city. No tsunami advisory or significant damage was reported from that incident either.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of preparedness and adherence to safety guidelines, especially as aftershocks remain possible in the coming days.
