The powerful offshore quake disrupted rail services, damaged property and prompted authorities to warn of possible aftershocks over the coming days
Tokyo: A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan on Thursday morning, injuring at least six people, disrupting rail services and triggering emergency response measures, though authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake occurred off the eastern coast of Iwate Prefecture at a depth of about 50 kilometres. The tremor registered an upper 6 on Japan’s seven-point seismic intensity scale in parts of Aomori Prefecture, indicating shaking strong enough to make walking difficult and topple unsecured furniture.
Five people were injured in Aomori Prefecture, while a woman in her 90s sustained minor injuries in neighbouring Iwate after falling during the quake. No fatalities have been reported.
The tremor was felt across northeastern Japan and lightly in Tokyo. Several Shinkansen bullet train services and local railway lines were temporarily suspended for safety inspections, though most high-speed services resumed later in the day.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had established an emergency task force and urged residents to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks. The JMA warned that earthquakes of similar magnitude could occur over the next week, particularly during the next two to three days.
The earthquake comes just a day after Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes that caused widespread destruction, leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 700 injured.
While Japan escaped major damage and casualties due to its advanced disaster preparedness systems, the contrasting impact highlighted the devastating consequences powerful earthquakes can have in vulnerable regions. Authorities in both countries continue to monitor the situation and assess the extent of the damage
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