Japan, prone to seismic activity, faced heightened alerts on January 1 after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture, causing waves over a meter high. Despite the subsequent lowering of the tsunami warning, evacuation orders remain in effect.
Recalling the 2011 catastrophe, this recent seismic episode led to damaged homes, closed highways, and widespread disruptions. The US Geological Survey reported a series of 21 earthquakes, each measuring 4.0 magnitude or stronger, hitting Japan’s central region within a brief 90-minute span.
National broadcaster NHK issued urgent directives for residents to evacuate immediately to higher ground. Approximately 33,500 households near the epicenter, spanning Toyama, Ishikawa, and Niigata prefectures, experienced power outages. Social media footage depicted wooden houses crumpled by the quakes, emphasizing the impact on local communities.
