Significant tremor centered in Shimane Prefecture triggers aftershocks and halts bullet trains, but no damage or nuclear irregularities reported.
A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 struck western Japan’s Chugoku region on Tuesday, shaking buildings and disrupting rail services but causing no immediate reports of damage or triggering a tsunami warning.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake’s epicenter was located in eastern Shimane Prefecture at a shallow depth. It was followed by a series of notable aftershocks. The agency measured a maximum seismic intensity of “upper 5” on Japan’s 7-point scale—strong enough to make it difficult to walk without holding onto something.
Despite the intensity, local authorities and utilities reported no significant disruptions. Chugoku Electric Power confirmed that operations continued as normal at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station, located about 32 kilometers from the epicenter. Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority also stated that no abnormalities were detected at any nuclear facilities following the tremor.
The Shimane plant’s No. 2 reactor had restarted in December 2024 after the nationwide shutdown following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Transport was impacted, however, with West Japan Railway suspending Shinkansen bullet train services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata as a safety precaution. Services are expected to resume after safety checks.
Japan, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences around 20% of the world’s magnitude 6 or higher earthquakes. The country maintains strict building codes and emergency protocols, which help mitigate damage from frequent seismic activity.
No injuries or structural damage have been reported so far. Officials continue to monitor the situation, particularly for potential landslides in affected areas.
United Arab Emirates Dirham Exchange Rate
