Strong Earthquake Hits Central Japan; No Tsunami Threat
A powerful earthquake hit central Japan early Sunday, recording an upper 5 intensity in Aichi Prefecture. Prime Minister Takaichi confirms no tsunami risk.
A powerful earthquake strikes Japan, sending strong tremors through the central region in the early hours of Sunday. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 5.7, caused significant shaking that woke residents and triggered an immediate response from the national government.
Epicentre and Intensity
The seismic event occurred at approximately 1:04 a.m. local time. According to official reports, the epicentre of the earthquake was located in western Shizuoka Prefecture. While the quake was felt across a wide area, the impact was most severe in the neighboring Aichi Prefecture.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that Chita City in Aichi Prefecture recorded a maximum seismic intensity of "upper 5" on the Japanese seismic scale, indicating very strong shaking.
Government Response and Safety Measures
In the immediate aftermath of the tremor, the Japanese government activated its emergency protocols to ensure public safety and coordinate relief efforts. A dedicated liaison desk was swiftly established at the Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Centre to monitor the situation in real-time.
Taking to the social media platform X, Prime Minister Takaichi assured the public regarding the coastal threat, stating clearly that there is no risk of a tsunami following this specific event.
"Immediately after the earthquake, the government established a 'Prime Minister’s Office Liaison Office' at the 'Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Centre.' I have also directed efforts to assess the extent of the damage and provide accurate information to the public, and we are doing everything we can to respond," Takaichi stated.
Warning for Aftershocks
While the primary shock has passed, authorities are not letting their guard down. Residents in the affected prefectures have been urged to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution.
The Prime Minister specifically warned those in areas that experienced the strongest shaking to stay alert, as there is a possibility of subsequent tremors of a similar magnitude occurring in the coming hours or days.