A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck southern Japan on Friday morning, according to the National Seismic Network of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The agency said the earthquake occurred at 8:04 a.m. UAE time, adding to a series of significant seismic events that have affected the country in recent months.
There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties following the latest earthquake, and authorities did not issue a tsunami warning. Emergency officials continued to assess the impact while monitoring the situation for possible aftershocks.
The latest tremor comes just one week after a powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan. That quake occurred in waters near Iwate Prefecture on the main island of Honshu, with shaking felt as far away as Tokyo, several hundred miles from the epicentre. Despite its strength, no tsunami warning was issued, and authorities reported no major damage.
Japan remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where several major tectonic plates meet. The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes each year, accounting for nearly 18 percent of all earthquakes recorded worldwide. While most of these tremors are relatively minor, stronger quakes have the potential to cause widespread destruction depending on their depth, location and proximity to populated areas.
The country continues to live with the memory of the devastating magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck off its northeastern coast in March 2011. The undersea quake triggered a massive tsunami that claimed or left missing around 18,500 people and caused one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The catastrophe prompted sweeping changes to Japan’s disaster preparedness, building standards and emergency response systems.
Earlier this year, on April 20, another powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 7.7 struck northern Japan. The tremor injured at least 10 people and caused buildings in Tokyo to sway, highlighting the country’s ongoing exposure to seismic activity.
Following that event, Japanese authorities issued a special advisory warning of an increased risk of earthquakes measuring magnitude 8.0 or higher. Officials have continued to urge residents to remain prepared by maintaining emergency supplies and following official guidance during seismic events.
Japan’s advanced earthquake monitoring systems and strict construction standards have helped reduce the impact of many earthquakes, though authorities continue to stress that preparedness remains essential as seismic activity persists across the archipelago.
