Latest news with #Japan Meteorological Agency
NHK
21-07-2025
- NHK
Japan's Tokara island chain marks 1 month since quake swarm began
Monday marks one month since seismic activity intensified in the sea around the Tokara island chain in southwestern Japan, with nearly 2,200 tremors perceptible to people so far recorded. A series of earthquakes began occurring near the islands of Akusekijima and Kodakarajima of the Tokara island chain on June 21. A quake measuring an intensity of lower 6 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 hit Akusekijima Island on July 3. Others with intensities of upper 5 and lower 5 have been recorded three times each on the island. Kodakarajima Island also experienced a quake with an intensity of lower 5. As of 5 a.m. on Monday, there had been 2,196 quakes with an intensity of at least 1 in the sea near the Tokara island chain. The sea off the island chain went through a series of earthquakes in 2021 and again in 2023. But the current swarm has been far larger in terms of the number of jolts. The Japan Meteorological Agency is urging residents to stay alert for the time being for possible quakes with intensities of up to lower 6.
NHK
20-07-2025
- Climate
- NHK
Japan's Tokara Islands hit by nearly 2,200 quakes since June 21
Nearly 2,200 earthquakes strong enough to be felt by humans have recently struck around a southwestern Japanese island chain. Weather officials are calling on people to remain vigilant against more earthquakes that could register lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of zero to seven. Seismic activity has intensified since June 21 around the islands of Akusekijima and Kodakarajima, which are part of Kagoshima Prefecture's Tokara Islands. A quake measuring lower 6 hit Akusekijima Island on July 3, followed by two jolts with intensities of upper 5 on July 6. Another quake registering lower 5 struck the island on July 7. The Japan Meteorological Agency says that as of 11 a.m. on Sunday, a total of 2,193 tremors with intensities of one or higher have been observed in the sea off the Tokara Islands since June 21. Most recently, there were 14 on Friday, 15 on Saturday, and three by 11 a.m. on Sunday. The sea off the island chain saw a series of earthquakes in 2021 and 2023. But the number of recent jolts has far exceeded the past figures.
NHK
18-07-2025
- Climate
- NHK
Rainy season over in much of central, eastern, northeastern Japan
Japanese weather officials say the rainy season is likely to be over across wide regions of central, eastern and northeastern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency on Friday announced the apparent end of the rainy season in the Kanto-Koshin region, including Tokyo, the Hokuriku region, and the southern part of the Tohoku region. The season ended one day earlier than average and on the same day as last year in Kanto-Koshin. It ended five days earlier than average and 13 days earlier than last year in Hokuriku. Southern Tohoku saw the end six days earlier than average and 14 days earlier than last year. The agency says a high-pressure system is covering much of Japan on Friday, with clear skies mainly in eastern Japan. Many sunny days are expected over the coming week.
NHK
16-07-2025
- Climate
- NHK
Japan's Tokara Islands hit by 2,000 quakes since June 21
More than 2,000 earthquakes that can be felt by humans have recently struck around a southwestern Japanese island chain. Weather officials are calling on people to remain vigilant for more earthquakes that could register lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of zero to seven. Seismic activity has intensified since June 21 around Akusekijima Island and Kodakarajima Island in the Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture. A quake measuring lower 6 hit Akusekijima Island on July 3, followed by two jolts with intensities of upper 5 on July 6. Another quake registering lower 5 struck the island on July 7. The Japan Meteorological Agency says that as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, a total of 2,087 tremors with intensities of one or higher have been observed in the sea off the Tokara Islands since June 21. This week alone, there were 40 on Monday, 31 on Tuesday, and 11 up to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, including one measuring 4 on Akusekijima Island that occurred after 2 a.m. The sea off the island chain saw a series of earthquakes in 2021 and 2023. But the number of recent jolts has far exceeded the past figures.
NHK
14-07-2025
- Climate
- NHK
Thunderstorms could hit western and eastern Japan through Wednesday
Japanese weather officials say thunderstorms could hit western and eastern parts of the country through Wednesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency says warm and moist air is flowing into a tropical depression in the East China Sea, causing rainclouds to develop mainly over some parts of western Japan. The officials say the tropical depression will weaken on Monday morning, but that a new low pressure system is expected to emerge over the western part of the Sea of Japan. This could cause localized downpours with lightning in western and eastern Japan through Wednesday. The amount of rain expected in the 24 hours through Tuesday morning is up to 200 millimeters in the Tokai and Shikoku region, 180 millimeters in the Kinki region and 80 millimeters in southern Kyushu and Chugoku. In the 24 hours through Wednesday morning, up to 150 millimeters are forecast in the Tokai region. The agency is urging people to be on the alert for landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers. It is also urging caution against lightning and severe wind gusts, including tornadoes. Meanwhile, Severe Tropical Storm Nari is moving east over waters south of Hachijojima, an island located south of the country's main island of Honshu. Nari is forecast to approach eastern and northern Japan from Tuesday and could make landfall. People need to exercise caution against violent winds, high waves, mudslides and other possible disasters. The sea is predicted to turn rough. Swelling waves are expected to reach 7 meters high off the coast of the Tohoku region and 6 meters off the Kanto region.
