Thursday, January, 09,2025

Latest News

Japanese PM cancels Central Asia visit over mega earthquake advisory

Tokyo: As Japan steps up its disaster preparedness following an advisory warning of a massive earthquake in a vast area along the Pacific coast, the country's prime minister has cancelled a planned trip to Central Asia next week, local media reported on Saturday.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cancelled his planned four-day trip to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia, Kyodo News reported stating that the step was taken a day after an advisory by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The Japan Met department said a higher-than-usual probability of a megaquake is predicted around the Nankai Trough.
On Thursday, a powerful earthquake 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's southern coast.
Japan's Met agency said tsunami waves of up 1.6 ft were detected along parts of Kyushu's southern coast and the nearby island of Shikoku about half an hour after the quake struck.
The quake most strongly shook Nichinan city and nearby areas in Miyazaki prefecture on Kyushu.
Japan's NHK public television said there were reports of broken windows at the Miyazaki airport near the epicentre.
Japan's weather agency also said that an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 jolted areas near Tokyo on Friday, adding that it appears not to be linked with the chance of a massive quake occurring from the Nankai Trough.
The quake, which struck at 7:57 p.m., measured at a lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in western Kanagawa Prefecture. The focus of the quake was 13 kilometres underground and no tsunami warning was issued.
Kyodo News reported that Central Japan Railway Co. temporarily halted its Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet train service between Shinagawa and Shizuoka stations.
The Nankai Trough is an ocean-floor trench that runs along the Pacific coast of Japan, where the Eurasian and Philippine Sea tectonic plates intersect.
Japan, a quake-prone nation sits on the 'Ring of Fire' and as per experts say there is possibility of a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake occurring along the Nankai Trough in the coming decades, with the potential of rattling a vast area of the country and engulfing areas with tsunami waves as high as over 30 meters.
An earthquake on 1 January this year in Japan's north-central region of Noto left an estimated over 240 people dead.

  Share on

Related News

visit e-papers

Daily Astro

image

Aries

Today brings opportunities for growth, but you'll need to stay focused. Trust your instincts to navigate challenges.

image

Pisces

Your intuition will guide you. Trust your feelings and explore creative outlets for peace of mind.

image

Aquarius

Innovation is your theme today. Explore unconventional ideas to solve lingering problems.

image

Capricorn

Hard work pays off today. Your dedication and discipline will lead to well-deserved recognition.

image

Sagittarius

Adventure is calling! Embrace new opportunities, but keep a balanced approach to risks.

image

Scorpio

Your determination will be unmatched. Dive deep into tasks, but don't forget to take breaks to recharge.

image

Libra

Harmony in relationships is your priority. Compromise and understanding will strengthen your bonds.

image

Virgo

Focus on organization and details. A well-planned day will lead to productive results and personal satisfaction.

image

Leo

Leadership will come naturally. Take charge of situations but remain humble for the best outcomes.

image

Cancer

Emotional balance is key today. Spend quality time with loved ones to find comfort and clarity.

image

Gemini

Today is perfect for networking and sharing ideas. Your adaptability will help you tackle unexpected changes with ease.

image

Taurus

Patience will be your strength today. Financial matters might need attention, so think twice before making big decisions.