Tokyo, Japan – A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck central Japan on New Year’s Day, triggering a major tsunami warning and causing widespread damage and casualties. The earthquake, with its epicenter on the Noto Peninsula, resulted in at least six fatalities and dozens of injuries as rescue efforts intensified to locate survivors amidst the devastation.
The quake, which hit about 26 miles northeast of Anamizu in Ishikawa prefecture, led to the collapse of roads and buildings and left 45,000 homes without power. While tsunami warnings were initially issued as far as eastern Russia, they were eventually downgraded and then canceled Tuesday morning. However, more than 140 aftershocks have been recorded, indicating the possibility of continued tremors for the coming days.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described the ongoing search and rescue operations as a “battle against time,” emphasizing the priority of saving lives and assessing the extent of the damage. The earthquake marked the first time Japan had issued a major tsunami warning since the devastating 9.0-magnitude quake in 2011.
As the death toll continued to rise, other prefectures, including Toyama and Niigata, reported numerous injuries and incidents of residents being trapped alive under collapsed houses. Apprehension over possible nuclear plant leaks was addressed by the country’s nuclear authority, which assured that there was no risk of radioactivity leakage in the affected areas.
Japan sits in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to seismic activity due to the convergence of tectonic plates. The earthquake once again highlighted the country’s ongoing vulnerability to natural disasters and underscored the importance of its advanced tsunami warning systems.
In the midst of the aftermath, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed solidarity with Japan and offered support, reinforcing the deep bond between the two allies. As the nation grappled with the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, efforts remained focused on rescue operations, assessing the extent of the damage, and providing assistance to those affected.