A powerful earthquake rattled western Japan on Tuesday morning, disrupting bullet train services and triggering local alarms, but authorities have ruled out the threat of a tsunami.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the western coast of Japan on Tuesday (January 6, 2026), centered in Shimane Prefecture. The tremor, which hit at around 10:18 AM local time (01:18 GMT), registered an “upper 5” on Japan’s seven-point seismic intensity scale, a level where heavy furniture can topple and structural damage is possible. Despite the intensity, the Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed there’s no risk of a tsunami.
The quake caused significant but temporary disruptions across the Chugoku region as residents braced for aftershocks.
- Transportation: JR West temporarily suspended Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train services between Okayama and Hiroshima stations due to a power outage triggered by the initial shock. Services resumed around 1:00 PM after safety checks.
- Nuclear Safety: The Shimane Nuclear Power Station, located just 32 km from the epicenter, reported no problems. Operators confirmed the facility remains stable, and the Nuclear Regulation Authority found no issues at regional plants.
- Casualties: While the JMA later preliminarily upgraded the magnitude to 6.4 in some reports, only minor injuries have been reported. Four people were taken to hospitals in the Shimane and Tottori prefectures for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial 6.2-magnitude jolt was followed by a series of significant aftershocks that kept residents on edge throughout the morning:
- 10:28 AM: A magnitude 5.1 quake (lower 5 on the Shindo scale).
- 10:37 AM: A magnitude 5.4 quake.
The JMA has warned that “brisk” seismic activity is likely to continue for at least a week, with the possibility of more quakes of a similar scale hitting the region.
Japan remains one of the most seismically active countries on Earth, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates. This latest quake follows a 5.7-magnitude tremor off the coast of Iwate Prefecture on December 31, 2025, and a massive 7.5-magnitude quake in early December that prompted widespread evacuations.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed a liaison office has been set up at the PM’s office to coordinate the ongoing response and damage assessment by the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
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