Japan earthquake leads to 'numerous' casualties, damage 'extensive': PM Kishida

Japan Earthquake: A powerful earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year's Day has resulted in "extensive" damage and "numerous" casualties, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Tuesday.

"Very extensive damage has been confirmed, including numerous casualties, building collapses and fires," Kishida told reporters, describing a "race against time" to rescue the victims now.

Since Monday, Japan experienced a total of 155 earthquakes, including a powerful 7.6-magnitude tremor and several others measuring over 6, according to the Japan Meteorological Office. Although the intensity of the seismic activity has gradually subsided, six significant tremors were still felt early on Tuesday, as reported by the JMA.


12 people have been confirmed dead in the powerful earthquake that rocked Japan, the Kyodo news agency reported early Tuesday, citing authorities in Ishikawa prefecture.

The tsunami threat from a powerful earthquake that struck central Japan on Monday has "largely passed", a US agency said, after waves over a metre high had earlier hit some areas, AFP reported.

"The tsunami threat has now largely passed," the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
A potent earthquake and tsunami hit central and western Japan on Monday, prompting evacuation warnings for residents, causing power outages for thousands of homes, and disrupting both flights and rail services in the affected region. The quake, initially measuring 7.6 in magnitude, generated approximately 1-meter waves along parts of the Sea of Japan coast, with expectations of larger waves, as reported by public broadcaster NHK. Tsunami alerts have been issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama. Russia also issued tsunami warnings in Vladivostok and Nakhodka, its far eastern cities.

Authorities are currently evaluating the extent of the damage, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in remarks broadcasted on NHK, urged residents to remain vigilant for potential further tremors. He emphasized the need for those in areas expecting tsunamis to evacuate promptly. NHK footage depicted a building collapsing in the coastal city of Suzu, and residents in Kanazawa sought shelter under tables during the tremors. The quake's impact extended to Tokyo, where buildings experienced shaking.

Over 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, according to Hokuriku Electric Power. High-speed rail services to Ishikawa were suspended, and telecom operators Softbank and KDDI reported disruptions in phone and internet services in Ishikawa and Niigata.

Japanese airlines, including ANA and Japan Airlines, altered flight plans and canceled services to affected regions. Despite the seismic activity, Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no irregularities at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including Kansai Electric Power’s Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui Prefecture. Hokuriku's Shika plant in Ishikawa, closest to the quake's epicenter, had already shut down its reactors for regular inspection before the quake, experiencing no impact.

The incident revives memories of the devastating March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, which claimed nearly 20,000 lives, ravaged towns, and led to nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima.