11-07-2025
More than 1,800 tremors hit Japan's Tokara island chain since June 21
Authorities are warning of more earthquakes around the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. More than 1,800 tremors perceptible to humans have hit the region in recent weeks.
The Meteorological Agency urges people to stay cautious for quakes measuring up to about lower 6 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 for the time being.
Officials in Toshima Village are considering when 64 residents who evacuated can return to their homes on the islands of Akuseki-jima and Kodakara-jima.
They plan to make a decision as early as July 17, if no earthquakes with an intensity of at least 4 occur for five consecutive days.
The officials have sent nurses to support more than 60 people who remain on the two islands.
A powerful quake measuring lower 6 on Japan's intensity scale hit Akuseki-jima on July 3. It's the largest since the heightened seismic activity began on June 21.
As of 5 p.m. on Friday, there have been 1,861 quakes with an intensity of at least 1. The daily figure dipped on Wednesday and Thursday.
The region experienced multiple quakes in 2021 and 2023, but there have been far more in the latest sequence.
