TOKYO, Japan – A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck the western part of Japan on New Year’s Day, resulting in at least six deaths and several injuries. The quake hit the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture, causing widespread damage to roads and buildings and leaving 45,000 homes without power.
Additional than 140 aftershocks were recorded following the initial quake, with Japan’s Meteorological Agency warning of the possibility of further strong tremors in the coming days. As a precaution, over 97,000 people were evacuated from their homes. Initially, authorities issued tsunami warnings predicting waves as high as 10 feet along the Sea of Japan coast, but these warnings were later downgraded and eventually canceled.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the urgent rescue efforts for those trapped in collapsed buildings and assured the public that the government is prioritizing the assessment of damages caused by the earthquake. At least six people were reported dead, with over 30 injuries in multiple prefectures.
This earthquake marked Japan’s first major tsunami warning since 2011, when a devastating 9.0-magnitude quake resulted in a deadly tsunami. The country, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, faces constant threats of earthquakes due to the meeting of tectonic plates.
The Emperor and Empress of Japan canceled their New Year’s celebrations, and President Joe Biden expressed solidarity with the Japanese people, offering support if needed. Train services were suspended, and airlines canceled flights in the affected region. Despite the significant impact of the earthquake, there were no confirmed reports of injuries from the affected nuclear power plants, and Japan’s advanced tsunami warning system was able to provide crucial alerts to protect lives and property.