Japan shaken by 5.9-magnitude earthquake; authorities rule out tsunami threat

Tokyo: A strong earthquake measuring magnitude 5.9 struck southwestern Japan on Wednesday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Japanese authorities.

The earthquake occurred at approximately 11:46 am local time at a depth of around 50 kilometres. The tremor was centred near Okinawa Main Island and was felt across several parts of southern Japan, including Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures.

Seismic intensity recorded in southern Japan

Japan’s Meteorological Agency and public broadcaster NHK reported that the quake registered an intensity of lower 5 on Japan’s seismic scale, which ranges from zero to seven. The strongest shaking was recorded in Southern Amami in Kagoshima prefecture.

Residents in several towns reportedly experienced noticeable tremors, though authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries, structural damage or transport disruptions.

No tsunami warning issued

Despite the strength of the quake, Japanese authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning had been issued. Disaster management teams continued monitoring the situation as a precaution.

Japan’s prime minister’s office said emergency authorities were assessing conditions in the affected regions following the earthquake.

Japan remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries

Japan frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an area known for intense seismic and volcanic activity. The country has one of the world’s most advanced earthquake monitoring and disaster response systems.

The latest tremor comes amid continued global monitoring of seismic activity across the Asia-Pacific region.