Strong magnitude 7.1 earthquake shakes southwestern Japan

Memory of the 2016 earthquake

The Kumamoto region was hit by another severe earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 ten years ago. In that 2016 quake, the consequences were devastating: dozens of people lost their lives directly. Tens of thousands more had to be temporarily housed in emergency shelters.

In addition, there was severe damage to buildings, including the famous Kumamoto Castle, which had to be painstakingly restored. The memory of the destruction of 2016 remains formative in the region to this day and also shapes current protective and precautionary measures.

Why Japan shakes so frequently

Japan is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. The Pacific Ring of Fire runs directly along the eastern edge of the island nation, which is why earthquakes occur there regularly. Strict building codes and a well-developed early warning system are intended to limit damage.

Using its sensors, the Japan Meteorological Agency can often detect earthquakes seconds before the ground waves arrive. Warnings are issued to the public via television, mobile networks, and loudspeakers, so that people can get to safety.

Early warning system and protective measures

The current earthquake is part of a long list of sometimes severe tremors in Japan. As recently as 2024, an earthquake on the Noto Peninsula claimed several lives and caused great destruction. The experience gained from such events is continuously incorporated into the country's disaster preparedness efforts.

Authorities called on residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground. The full extent of the current quake and possible aftershocks had not yet been conclusively reported.

This is a news item directly from the dpa news channel, distributed by APA. The situation in the Kumamoto region was being closely monitored, according to Japanese government sources.