A POWERFUL earthquake measuring a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 struck the western Chugoku region of Japan on Tuesday, sending tremors across eastern Shimane prefecture and prompting a series of significant aftershocks, authorities reported.
Reuters, on Tuesday, cited that the Japan Meteorological Agency confirming the quake’s epicentre in eastern Shimane and stated that there was no risk of a tsunami.
The tremor registered an upper-5 on Japan’s 1-7 seismic intensity scale, strong enough to make it difficult for people to remain standing without support.
Chugoku Electric Power, which operates the nearby Shimane Nuclear Power Station approximately 32 kilometres from the epicentre, said that inspections were underway to assess the impact on its No.2 reactor unit, which resumed operations in December 2024 following a prolonged shutdown after the Fukushima disaster in March 2011.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no irregularities at the plant. A spokesperson explained that the utility was “checking on any impact on the plant’s No.2 unit” but confirmed operations remained stable.
In response to the quake, West Japan Railway temporarily suspended Shinkansen bullet-train services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata to ensure passenger safety.
Japan, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic activity, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly in areas surrounding nuclear facilities and major transportation routes.
The earthquake caused widespread alarm locally, though no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage were confirmed as emergency teams conducted ongoing assessments. - January 6, 2025
