On the first day of 2024, a series of powerful earthquakes struck Japan, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 30 lives. Despite ongoing efforts by authorities to assess the extent of the disaster, the magnitude of the earthquakes remains uncertain. The Japan Meteorological Office reported that since Monday, the country has experienced a total of 155 earthquakes, including an initial jolt measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale and several others exceeding a magnitude of 6.
Following the initial earthquake, tsunami warnings were promptly issued, and the country faced waves reaching heights of up to 5 feet. As a consequence, approximately 33,000 households are currently without electricity, and numerous vital transportation routes, including major highways, are inoperable. This has posed significant challenges for medical and military personnel involved in rescue operations, as reported by the news agency Reuters.
NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, stated that eight fatalities were recorded in Wajima town, located near the epicenter of the earthquake. The national police agency confirmed an additional six deaths, according to the Reuters report.
The latest updates on the Japan earthquakes reveal that a significant number of army personnel have been deployed to the Noto Peninsula, which is the most severely affected region. However, the rescue operations are facing obstacles due to damaged roads and a closed airport runway caused by cracks. This has resulted in the suspension of many rail services and flights to the area. According to the Japan Transport Ministry, several expressways, high-speed rail services, local train lines, and ferry lines have been halted, along with the cancellation of 38 flights. The Japan Meteorological Office has also issued a warning about the possibility of more powerful aftershocks in the coming days.
The extent of the damage caused by the earthquakes is still being assessed. News footage has shown collapsed buildings, sunken boats at the port, burnt homes, and residents enduring freezing temperatures without electricity. Aerial footage has captured sunken boats at the fishing port of Suzu city. Additionally, the earthquakes sparked a major fire in Wajima, resulting in the evacuation of residents in the dark. The Wajima Fire Department has been overwhelmed with rescue requests and reports of damages.
Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate, with approximately 1,000 individuals seeking refuge at a military base. The Japanese government has requested over 97,000 people in nine prefectures along the western coast of Honshu island to evacuate. These individuals have spent the night in sports halls and school gymnasiums.
As of Tuesday, approximately 33,000 households in Ishikawa prefecture were still without power, according to NHK. Additionally, a majority of the regions in the northern Noto peninsula are experiencing a water supply shortage. In neighboring Niigata prefecture, around 700 households are also without power. Meanwhile, West Japan Railway reported that four bullet train services between Kanazawa and Toyama cities are currently halted, leaving approximately 1,400 passengers stranded. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that he has instructed search and rescue teams to utilize all available means to reach the affected areas. He emphasized the urgency of rescuing those impacted by the earthquake during an emergency disaster meeting aired on television.
Following the powerful quakes, Russia, South Korea, and North Korea issued tsunami warnings. Russian officials reported that Sakhalin island’s western coast, as well as the mainland Primorsk and Khabarovsk regions, are under threat. South Korea experienced a tsunami of less than 3.3 feet along its east coast. North Korea also issued tsunami warnings for its coastline, cautioning against possible waves exceeding 2 meters. US President Joe Biden expressed readiness to provide any necessary assistance to Japan, highlighting the strong bond of friendship between the two countries as close allies. Both the US and Japan are members of the Group of Seven (G7) countries.
Japan is highly susceptible to frequent earthquakes, and as a result, the nation has implemented stringent regulations to ensure that buildings are capable of withstanding powerful tremors. In order to prepare for such events, Japan regularly conducts emergency drills. The most recent earthquake prior to the one on Monday occurred on March 16, 2022, off the coast of Fukushima, measuring 7.3 in magnitude. This particular earthquake resulted in two fatalities and 94 injuries. However, the most devastating earthquake in Japan’s history took place on March 11, 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck northeastern Japan. This catastrophic event claimed the lives of approximately 20,000 individuals, with many others reported missing. Additionally, it triggered a nuclear meltdown in Fukushima, leading to one of the most severe nuclear disasters the world has witnessed since Chernobyl.