Central Japan was hit by a powerful earthquake on Monday, resulting in the loss of at least one life, widespread destruction of buildings, and power outages affecting tens of thousands of homes. The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, generated waves of approximately 1 meter along Japan’s west coast and neighboring South Korea. Authorities have cautioned that larger waves could follow.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) promptly issued tsunami warnings for the prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama. Notably, Ishikawa received a major tsunami warning, marking the first since the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan. However, this warning was later downgraded to an advisory, indicating that waves of up to 1 meter (3 feet) high could be anticipated.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, this earthquake stands as the most potent in the region in over four decades, underlining the severity of the situation. The impact was not limited to Japan, as both Russia and North Korea issued tsunami warnings for specific areas.
As a consequence of the earthquake, buildings were destroyed, fires broke out, and army personnel were dispatched to assist in rescue operations. Regrettably, one elderly man lost his life in Shika Town, Ishikawa, due to a building collapse, as reported by broadcaster NTV citing local police.
Tourists and locals experienced moments of panic and chaos, with Jonny Wu, a Taiwanese tourist in Nagano prefecture, describing the scene: “The snow from the electric wire (came) down, and also from the roof it fell down, and all the cars are shaking, so everybody was panicked.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed the press, emphasizing the challenges faced by search and rescue teams due to blocked roads. Despite the difficulties, he urged teams to do everything possible to save lives. Kishida also warned residents of potential aftershocks and other disasters, urging those in tsunami-prone areas to evacuate promptly.
The government took swift action, ordering over 97,000 people in nine prefectures on the western coast of Japan’s main island Honshu to evacuate by Monday night. As the nation grapples with the aftermath, Kishida’s call for preparedness resonates, emphasizing the need for residents to be vigilant.
The earthquake struck during Japan’s public holiday, a time when millions traditionally visit temples to mark the new year. In Kanazawa, a popular tourist destination in Ishikawa, images showed the remnants of a shattered stone gate strewn at the entrance of a shrine as anxious worshippers looked on. Residents, like Ayako Daikai, sought refuge in nearby schools, emphasizing the uncertainty of when they could safely return home.
The impact of the earthquake extended beyond immediate destruction, with power outages affecting almost 32,000 households in Ishikawa late on Monday. Transportation services faced disruptions, with train lines and expressways halted, impacting both local and long-distance travel. The earthquake also caused telecoms operators to report phone and internet outages in some areas.
The incident occurs at a sensitive time for Japan’s nuclear industry, still recovering from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami-triggered nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. While no irregularities were reported at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including the recently operational Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, ongoing monitoring is crucial.
As the nation collectively grapples with the aftermath, rescue efforts intensify, and authorities work to restore normalcy, the full extent of the impact is yet to be determined. The resilience of the affected communities and the coordinated response from emergency services will play a crucial role in the recovery process.
