Major tsunami warning after 7.6-magnitude quake jolts central Japan

Japan’s weather agency issues tsunami warning for several regions after temblor in Ishikawa prefecture

The quake that hit central Japan today occurred at 4.10pm local time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. – @metmalaysia X pic, January 2, 2024

TOKYO – A series of strong earthquakes, with major ones measuring up to 7.6 in magnitude, struck the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa today, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

A major tsunami warning has been issued by the JMA for the Noto region, urging people to evacuate immediately, following tsunami warnings for the Niigata, Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures of the Japan Sea side of the country.

The quake registered an intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale, which peaks at 7, with tremors felt in multiple regions of the country, reported Xinhua.

According to the weather agency, the latest major temblor occurred at 4.10pm local time (3.10pm in Malaysia) at a shallow depth.

The quake’s epicentre was located at Ishikawa’s Noto region, at 37.5° north latitude and 137.2° east longitude.

Meanwhile, MetMalaysia said there was no threat of a tsunami hitting Malaysia following the quake.

– January 1, 2024