Western Japan was rocked by a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, but no tsunami warning or significant damage was recorded.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the tremor was detected at a shallow depth in Shimane prefecture around 10:18 am (0118 GMT). A slightly lower magnitude value of 5.8 was reported by the US Geological Survey, which subsequently reduced it to 5.7.
In the western city of Yasugi, the earthquake scored an upper-five on Japan's Shindo scale of shakiness. Heavy furniture could collapse at that height, and drivers might experience steering difficulties.
Smaller earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.5, 5.1, 3.8, and 5.4 struck the same area shortly after, according to the JMA, and there were no tsunami warnings.
As of 10:45 am, no anomalies were found at the Shimane nuclear plant, according to broadcaster NHK, which cited utility company Chugoku Electric.
A blackout caused parts of the Shinkansen bullet train network to be suspended, according to operator JR West. Whether this had anything to do with the earthquakes was unknown.
The military claimed to have set up a disaster response liaison office and to be performing an aerial damage assessment. "The government is gathering data regarding damage.
"Please continue to be cautious about more earthquakes of the same strength," Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi advised residents of the areas affected by the powerful tremors.
One of the most seismically active nations in the world, Japan is situated on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire".
There are about 1,500 jolts per year in the archipelago, which is home to about 125 million people. Although the damage they produce vary depending on their depth and location, the great majority are modest.
The memory of a catastrophic 9.0-magnitude underwater earthquake that occurred in 2011 and caused a tsunami that killed almost 18,500 people haunts Japan.
A potential "megaquake" along the Nankai Trough prompted the JMA to publish its first special advisory in 2024. The Philippine Sea oceanic tectonic plate is "subducting" or gradually slipping underneath the continental plate that Japan is situated atop in this 800-kilometer underwater trench.
According to the authorities, a tsunami and earthquake in the Nankai Trough may kill up to 298,000 people and create up to $2 trillion in damages.
After a week, the JMA lifted the 2024 caution, but this caused vacationers to cancel hotel reservations and panic buy basics like rice.
Following a magnitude-7.5 earthquake off the northern coast in December 2025, it issued a second "megaquake" advisory that lasted for a week.
Although no significant damage was reported, the December 8 earthquake caused tsunami waves as high as 70 centimeters (28 inches) and injured over 40 persons.
