The west coast of Japan’s main island suffered a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on Monday, 1 January 2024. At only 10km deep, the quake and several aftershocks brought surface destruction to roads and hundreds of buildings. At the time of writing, 48 people are known to have been killed and rescue operations are underway.
Coastal warnings
Western coastal areas have been told to evacuate to high land and tsunami warnings were initially issued though they have now been lifted to the lowest alert level.
The UK Foreign Office website lists the affected areas as: the “Sea of Japan coast in: Ishikawa, Yamagata, Niigata, Toyama, Fukui, Hyogo, Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Kyoto, Tottori and Shimane prefectures, plus Iki & Tsushima Islands.”
Residents have been told to remain away from Niigata, Toyama, and Ishikawa, where electricity has been out, stranding 36,000 people without power.
Scenes from the M7.5 earthquake that hit central Japan on January 1, 2024pic.twitter.com/AvuhhUfj6h
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 3, 2024
Should I travel to Japan?
While official government guidance from around the world is not advising against travel to Japan, travel to the worst affected areas is ill-advised and does not help rescuers trying to access victims along blocked roads. Travellers should also note that insurers frequently do not provide cover for natural disasters.
Airports remain open at the time of writing though All Nippon Airways cancelled 15 flights, Japan Airlines cancelled nine and local media reported all flights at Noto airport were cancelled today on 2 January 2024.
Meanwhile, a separate incident has affected Tokyo Airport so flyers should ensure they follow airport updates.
Where are the affected areas?
The worst-affected area is the Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto Peninsula, where 1,000 army personnel been deployed to provide rescue operations.
At least 19 people died close to the quake’s epicentre in Wajima city and scenes of horror ensued around the popular attraction Asachi-dori Street – lined with colourful wood structures – as hundreds of buildings were destroyed, including in a huge multi-building fire that was still burning at 7am local time.
WATCH – Drone video shows the damage after a deadly 7.6 magnitude earthquake on #Japan's western coast. At least 55 people were killed. #Japan #JapanAirlines #JapanEarthquake #earthquake #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/haIiy9opUp
— Neha Bisht (@neha_bisht12) January 3, 2024
Nanao city was also affected, where at least five people were killed. Local government officials have also confirmed the deaths of 20 people in Suzu; two in Anamizu; one in Hakui, where burst water mains have cut off water supplies; and one in Shika. With many victims still trapped under buildings and in rubble, it is thought the death toll is likely to rise.
What about the big cities?
Tokyo (300 km from the west coast) and Osaka (350 km away on the opposite side of the island) have been affected by more minor shocks.
However, InsideJapan travel agency has focused on reassuring potential visitors, emphasising that the major cities are “unaffected and although some of the pictures from the Noto Peninsula are quite dramatic with some collapsed houses and large cracks in some roads, Japan is very well geared up to deal with these kinds of incidents.”
Are trains running?
Yes, although passengers should check journeys, especially near affected regions. At least 1,400 passengers were affected when multiple bullet trains were stranded for around 11 hours between Toyama and Kanazawa in central Japan in the aftermath of the tremors.
