JAPAN EYES ADDING JAPANESE PROFICIENCY TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS - TOKYO JAPAN
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TOKYO
Japan is considering adding Japanese language proficiency to the requirements for permanent residency, sources close to the matter said Thursday, in anticipation of a rise in future applicants.
The idea is expected to be included in proposals for new requirements to be compiled by a ruling Liberal Democratic Party panel by April 2027, when an amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act comes into effect.
The revised law also allows for permanent residency to be revoked if the holder intentionally neglects public obligations, such as paying taxes.
According to the Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreign residents in Japan stood at a record 3.96 million as of the end of June, with permanent residents comprising the largest group at around 930,000, or 23.6 percent, of the total.
Currently, a foreigner applying for permanent residency must have resided in Japan for at least 10 years and provide evidence of having the means to support themselves, among other requirements.
Given an expected increase in permanent residents in the future, additional requirements such as Japanese language proficiency and mandatory participation in programs that teach community rules, as well as raising the required minimum income have been discussed.
Stricter rules for part-time work by international students are also being reviewed to prevent them from working more hours than permitted. Currently, students may work up to 28 hours per week in jobs outside their designated status if granted permission by immigration authorities.
The government is considering shifting to a screening process that evaluates academic performance and other factors when giving permission to work, rather than granting permission upon arrival in Japan.
Meanwhile, the number of cases of foreigners holding the visa status for engineers, specialists in humanities and international services, being dispatched to engage in unskilled labor -- which is not allowed under the residency status -- has prompted the government to consider enforcing more stringent monitoring by staffing agencies and other employers.
JAPAN TO LOWER PASSPORT APPLICATION FEES BY UP TO 7,00 YEN - TOKYO JAPAN
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TOKYO
The Japanese government is planning on lowering passport application fees by up to around 7,000 yen, governmental sources said, utilizing part of the revenue from the departure tax that is expected to be raised.
The fee for a 10-year passport is slated to be reduced from 16,300 yen to 9,000 yen. Those for five-year passports, which currently cost about 11,300 yen for people aged 12 and older and 6,300 yen for those under 12, will be lowered to a uniform 4,500 yen.
Five-year passports for people aged 18 and older will be abolished.
The government aims to revise the passport law during an ordinary parliamentary session next year.
The move comes as the government aims to increase the departure tax from 1,000 yen to more than 3,000 yen from July next year, with the extra revenue set to be used to address concerns raised by a surge in inbound tourism.
LAND DEAL SIGNED FOR JAPAN RADAR UNIT TO MONITOR CHINESE MILITARY ACTIVITY - NARA JAPAN
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NAHA
A land lease deal has been signed between Japan's Defense Ministry and a village on the easternmost remote island of Okinawa for the deployment of a mobile surveillance radar unit amid China's increasing military activities, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Japan aims to enhance its monitoring capabilities through the radar unit, bearing in mind that Chinese aircraft carriers and airplanes reach the Pacific Ocean via waters between Okinawa's main island and the prefecture's Miyako Island, the sources said.
Construction work is expected to begin next year on Kitadaito Island, where around 30 people are expected to be stationed for the mission, according to the sources. A major portion of the areas needed for the radar unit deployment is owned by the village.
Local chief Mitsunori Onizuka announced in July last year that the village would host the radar unit.
TEENAGE HIROSHIMA A-BOMB VICTIM IDENTIFIED THROUGH DNA ANALYSIS - HIROSHIMA JAPAN
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HIROSHIMA
A victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II has been identified as a 13-year-old girl through DNA testing, the first successful case of A-bomb victim identification using DNA, the Hiroshima city government said Monday.
The hair and ashes kept on the premises of the Peace Memorial Park were found to belong to Hatsue Kajiyama, who went missing after the U.S. bombing of the western Japan city on Aug 6, 1945, in the closing stages of the war.
The hair was preserved with the ashes recorded as Michiko Kajiyama in the burial registry for unclaimed ashes. However, Shuji, the 60-year-old nephew of the victim, informed the city that the name may have been listed incorrectly and requested that the city verify the information.
Between late November and earlier this month, Kanagawa Dental University extracted DNA from the hair and compared it with that of Hatsue's 91-year-old younger sister, confirming that it belonged to Hatsue, the city said.
There are unclaimed ashes of 70,000 victims kept inside a memorial mound, with hair samples also preserved inside each urn for about 10 of them, according to the city.
The city plans to run DNA testing of hair samples if requested by the family of the victims in the future.
JAPAN LIFT MEGAQUAKE ADVISORY BUT URGES CAUTION A WEEK AFTER MAGNITUDE 7.5 TEMBLOR - TOKYO JAPAN
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TOKYO
Japan lifted a megaquake advisory for the country's northeastern coast Tuesday, one week after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off northern Japan that officials said had caused an increased risk of a subsequent major quake.
The lifting means residents in the designated area under the advisory are no longer asked to sleep in their day clothes, with helmets, shoes and grab bags at their bedside in case a magnitude 8 or larger quake hits the area.
At a joint news conference, officials at the Japan Meteorological Agency and Cabinet Office said the probability of a megaquake has somewhat decreased, but the lifting doesn't mean the risk has disappeared, urging residents to maintain adequate levels of vigilance and preparedness.
The agency issued the so-called megaquake advisory last Monday after the magnitude 7.5 quake struck off the eastern coast of Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan’s main island of Honshu, and just south of the northern island of Hokkaido, leading to mild damage in the region.
The earthquake caused more than 40 mostly mild injuries and damaged dozens of homes, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Tsunami alerts and advisories were issued and waves of up to 70 centimeters were recorded in parts of the region, but no tsunami damage was reported.
Officials said municipalities and residents reacted calmly to the advisory and there was no panicking.
In the summer of 2024, when Japan issued a first-ever Nankai Trough megaquake advisory for the southern half of the country's Pacific coastline, the ambiguity of that warning led to panic buying of emergency food, event cancellations and business closures.
The mechanism for issuing advisories for the Hokkaido-Sanriku area was introduced in 2022 as a lesson from the 2011 disaster, when a magnitude 9.0 quake and subsequent tsunami devastated Japan’s northeastern coast.
FOREIGNERS BOUGHT 3,498 PROPERTIES NEAR JAPANESE SENSITIVE SITES IN FY 2024 GOVERNMENT - TOKYO JAPAN
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TOKYO
A total of 3,498 properties around critical security facilities and remote islands in Japan were purchased by foreign individuals or entities in fiscal 2024, with nearly half from China, a government study showed Tuesday.
Separately, the government announced it will demand from April 2026 increased disclosure when corporations attempt to acquire forested lands or properties deemed of national security importance, such as requiring them to disclose the nationalities of company heads in registration forms.
It will also ask individuals to provide their nationalities when acquiring forested areas, in a series of efforts by the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to gain a grasp on the scale of the foreign real estate ownership.
Foreigners acquired a total of 1,744 plots of land and 1,754 buildings across 37 of Japan's 47 prefectures, according to the survey on acquisitions. The purchases were made in the vicinity of 583 locations designated as "monitored areas" or "special monitored areas" under a law governing their use that took effect in 2022.
By country or region, China accounted for the most acquisitions at 1,674, followed by Taiwan at 414, South Korea at 378 and the United States at 211.
The survey is the second since the implementation of the law aimed to prevent real estate in areas surrounding important facilities and on remote islands from being used for acts that may impact official activities.
"We will steadily investigate the situation and take all-out measures to thwart acts that obstruct the functions of the properties," said Kimi Onoda, minister in charge of economic security, at a press conference on Tuesday.
Last year's investigation showed foreigners acquired 371 properties, but any direct comparison is unrepresentative as the number of designated locations increased nearly seven-fold in the latest survey.
There were no cases where warnings or orders to halt use were issued.
According to the Cabinet Office, many of the properties acquired by foreigners were apartments or condominiums, with many Chinese buyers believed to have purchased properties in the greater Tokyo area for investment purposes.
By prefecture, Tokyo saw the highest number of acquisitions at 1,558. Some were around the Medical Service School of the Ground Self-Defense Force, the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency's Naval Systems Research Center and the New Sanno U.S. Forces Center.
After Tokyo, Kanagawa had the most acquisitions at 339, followed by Chiba at 235, Hokkaido at 217 and Fukuoka at 211.
Under the law, plots of land and buildings within a 1-kilometer radius of designated critical facilities are subject to land use regulations. The survey covered a total of 113,827 properties where ownership was newly registered in the fiscal year starting April 2024.
JAPAN TO REVAMP WEATHER WARNING SYSTEM FROM MAY TO AID PROMPT EVACUATION - TOKYO JAPAN
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TOKYO
Japan will start operating a revamped weather warning system in late May to help speed evacuation decisions based on the severity of natural disasters, the weather agency and the land ministry said Tuesday.
The new system will classify four types of weather disasters -- heavy rain, flooding, landslides and storm surges -- into five alert levels to better align with the five-tier evacuation information currently issued by municipalities.
Weather warnings and advisories are issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency to help the public decide whether to evacuate, even before an evacuation order is issued. But some of the wording and the structure of the system have been seen as complicated.
The new system will clarify that an "emergency warning" represents the highest weather alert, Level 5, signaling a potentially life-threatening situation in which evacuation should already be completed.
The term "urgent warning" will be used under the new system for weather alert Level 4, indicating a situation in which municipalities are expected to issue evacuation orders. Level 3, or "warning," will indicate a situation prompting the evacuation of elderly people, while a weather advisory will be defined as Level 2.
How widely and quickly the new warnings and advisories can be communicated to residents will remain a key challenge during disasters.
The updated weather alert has been devised following more than two years of discussions among experts and legal revisions.
Calling it a major revamp, a weather agency official vowed to work with other related institutions to "ensure it integrates into society" and leads to prompt evacuation.
Under the new system, a Level 5 emergency warning for flooding will apply to about 400 designated rivers when they overflow or face an imminent risk of doing so, with other rivers handled under the heavy rain category for the time being.
The criteria for issuing weather alerts will also be revised, with a Level 3 landslide warning, for example, to be issued when conditions are expected to reach Level 4 within a few hours, potentially reducing the frequency of Level 3 alerts.
JAPAN WARNS OF HIGHER RISK OF LARGE QUAKE ALONG PACIFIC COAST OF NORTHERN JAPAN - TOKYO JAPAN
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"The Japan Meteorological Agency says the possibility of a mega quake in northern Japan is higher than usual. It is unclear whether a large-scale earthquake will occur. But people along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba prefectures should remain on alert during the next week."
Morikubo Tsukasa, Cabinet Office official for disaster preparedness, has held a news conference over a potential mega quake.
Morikubo: Based on the statistics of earthquakes that have occurred around the world so far, there is a possibility that a large-scale earthquake with a magnitude of 8 or higher could occur along the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench off Hokkaido as a follow-up earthquake to the quake late Monday night. It is unclear whether a large-scale earthquake will occur. But everyone should heed the call to take precautions to protect their lives.
Officials are urging people to check evacuation routes, prepare emergency kits, secure home furniture and confirm backup food, water and portable toilets.
People along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba should remain on the alert during the next week, even if an evacuation recommendation is not issued.
The alert is the first since this category of warning was introduced in 2022.
Japanhas recorded a series of powerful aftershocks in the past several hours, including a magnitude 5.7earthquakenear the east coast ofHonshuand a 4.9earthquakein theHokkaidoregion shortly after.
Two smaller quakes, of magnitudes 3.2 and 3, were also detected near the southern coast of Honshu.
On Tuesday, Japan’s weather agency issued its highest-level warning that a megaquake could follow Monday’s powerful tremor.
The warning covers approximately 800 miles (1,300 kilometres), stretching from Japan’s northeastern coast from Chiba, just east of Tokyo, to Hokkaido.
Monday night’s earthquake injured at least 51 people, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. It also triggered widespread tsunami warnings, with waves of up to 70cm reported in several coastal communities.
The quake struck at around 11.15pm in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 50 miles off the coast of Aomori.
Tuesday’s notice was the first time this top-tier alert has been issued since the warning system was launched in 2022.
Japan’s earthquake, aftershocks and ‘megaquake’ advisory: What we know so far
05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Japan experienced a series of powerful aftershocks, including a 5.7-magnitude quake off the east coast of Honshu and a 4.9-magnitude quake in Hokkaido, along with smaller tremors near southern Honshu, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency has revised the casualty count from Monday night’s 7.5-magnitude earthquake, confirming that 51 people were injured across Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate provinces. Seven of those were rated as suffering severe injuries.
In the aftermath of that powerful tremor, Japan’s weather agency issued its first-ever top-tier warning for a “megaquake”, or an earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater.
The megaquake advisory covers 182 municipalities across seven prefectures along the Pacific coast, from Hokkaido down to Chiba.
Officials have said that there has been no significant damage to major infrastructure and that nuclear power plant facilities were also unscathed after Monday’s earthquake.
Municipalities ramped up their preparedness in the wake of the megaquake advisory, which is in effect until 16 December. Local governments updated residents, checked emergency stocks, and tested communication systems.
Citizens were urged to keep grab-and-go emergency megaquake kits ready. Officials also issued public safety recommendations and urged families to sleep in the same room as elderly or vulnerable members and wear day clothes at night to allow faster evacuation in case of any emergency.
Most schools across northern Japan resumed classes today. Students shared stories of fear during the quake, but said daily life was slowly returning to normal. Drills and evacuation reviews took place in many classrooms, according to local reports.
Some examples of damage have been reported after Monday's quake, including to the historic Chojasan Shinra Shrine in Aomori's Hachinohe city. A pub owner in Hachinohe was seen taping bottles to the wall after the quake smashed untethered glass items.
In the wake of Monday’s 7.5-magnitude earthquake, social media saw a wave of fake videos and conspiracy theories about the quake’s cause. Officials urged the public to rely only on verified government sources.
Even though the megaquake advisory remains in place and citizens have been urged to stay vigilant, there is currently no need for citizens to evacuate.
Google blamed for ‘dangerous’ tsunami information after Monday’s earthquake
04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Google’s AI-generated tsunami summaries reportedly gave dangerously false information after Monday’s earthquake in northern Japan, incorrectly saying that all tsunami warnings had been lifted while alerts were still active.
Tests by The Asahi Shimbun showed that the AI repeatedly provided outdated and inaccurate details, including wrong earthquake data.
Experts warned that such AI “hallucinations” pose serious risks during disasters, where lives depend on accurate, real-time information.
Masahiro Tsuji, a senior consultant at Faber Company Inc who specialises in the mechanics of search engines, told the outlet that using AI-powered answers during emergencies is very dangerous.
“AI-generated search results may present misinformation that appears credible, a phenomenon known as ‘hallucination,’” he said.
“False information must not be displayed--even once--in the field of disaster response, where lives are at stake,” Tsuji said.
Multiple tremors including one of magnitude 5.7 strike Japan
03:34 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Japan has recorded a series of powerful aftershocks in the past several hours, including a magnitude 5.7 earthquake near the east coast of Honshu and a 4.9 earthquake in the Hokkaido region shortly after.
Two smaller quakes, of magnitudes 3.2 and 3, were also detected near the southern coast of Honshu.
These come after the magnitude-7.5 earthquake that struck the country on Monday night, after which a megaquake advisory was also issued.
Schools in northern and northeastern Japan reopened on Wednesday
03:30 , Shaheena Uddin
Most schools in northeastern and northern Japan reopened on Wednesday after closures caused by Monday night’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake off Aomori Prefecture, though a rare megaquake alert remains in effect for coastal regions from Hokkaido to Chiba.
Over 300 schools across five prefectures – Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima – were closed on Tuesday, with some remaining shut due to quake damage.
Students have been asked to be ready for immediate evacuation for about a week.
At reopened schools, including a public elementary in Hachinohe, Aomori, no injuries were reported, and children quickly returned to normal routines, Mainichi reported.
Teachers conducted drills and reviewed evacuation procedures, while students shared experiences of fear and family preparedness following the quake, the outlet reported.
The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued tsunami warnings for parts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, with Kuji Port recording a 70-centimetre wave.
Is it safe to travel to Japan? Megaquake warning sparked by 7.5-magnitude tremor
02:30 , Shaheena Uddin
Here is the latest travel advice and what you need to know following the massive earthquake in northern Japan.
Recap: Latest quake had a magnitude of 5.7 off Honshu island
01:30 , Shaheena Uddin
On Wednesday, the latest quake took place in a series of earthquakes which have occurred in Japan recently.
The most recent earthquake had a magnitude of 5.7 and struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.
The quake was at a depth of 31 km, EMSC said. It was earlier reported as having a magnitude at 6.5 and depth at 57 km but this was downgraded.
There were no immediate reports of damage after the quake.
Map shows where latest earthquake struck
00:30 , Shaheena Uddin
The latest earthquake has struck off the north east coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu.
The epicentre, the red circle in the GEOFON map below, is also south of the smaller island of Hokkaido.
Why did Japan issue an advisory for possible megaquake?
Wednesday 10 December 2025 23:40 , Shaheena Uddin
On Tuesday, Japan issued a megaquake advisory after a magnitude 7.5 struck off the eastern coast of Aomori, north of the main island of Honshu.
The areas covered by the advisory extend across 182 municipalities from Hokkaido to Chiba prefecture.
Japan’s Meterological Agency said that Monday’s quake increased potential risks in the regions of Hokkaido and Sanriku coast due to the Pacific plate which has been home to many earthquakes in the past.
They warned another offshore megaquake in the Hokkaido-Sanriku area could cause up to a 30-meter (98-foot) tsunami in the region, kill as many as 199,000 people, destroy up to 220,000 houses and buildings, and cause estimated economic damages of up to 31 trillion yen ($198 billion), according to an estimate by the government. It says as many as 42,000 people could suffer from hypothermia in the winter.
Watch: Moment powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Monday
Wednesday 10 December 2025 22:40 , Shaheena Uddin
What happend during the 2011 earthquake?
Wednesday 10 December 2025 21:40 , Shaheena Uddin
Japan saw a deadly earthquake and tsunami in 2011 which was caused by movement associated with the Japan Trench. It spans from off the eastern coast of Chiba to Aomori, and the Chishima Trench goes from the eastern coast of Hokkaido to the northern islands and the Kurils.
The 2011 quake caused a tsunami that battered northern coastal towns in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The tsunami, which topped 15 meters (50 feet) in some areas, slammed into and destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. That created deep fears of radiation that linger to this day.
The magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami claimed the lives of 15,894, and the subsequent damage to the reactors at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant causing the nuclear disaster forced 99,750 people to live as evacuees away from contaminated areas.
Japanese government warns megaquake could kill 300,000 and halve GDP
Wednesday 10 December 2025 20:40 , Shaheena Uddin
The Japan Meteorological Agency said there was an increased possibility of an earthquake of magnitude 8 or stronger along the Japan Trench and the Chishima Trench, marking its first activation of a top-tier alert since the system was introduced in 2022.
Japan’s earthquake and ‘megaquake’ advisory: What we know so far
Wednesday 10 December 2025 19:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency has revised the casualty count from Monday night’s 7.5-magnitude earthquake, confirming that 51 people were injured across Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate provinces. Seven of those were rated as suffering severe injuries.
In the aftermath of that powerful tremor, Japan’s weather agency issued its first-ever top-tier warning for a “megaquake”, or an earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater. The megaquake advisory covers 182 municipalities across seven prefectures along the Pacific coast, from Hokkaido down to Chiba.
Officials have said that there has been no significant damage to major infrastructure and that nuclear power plant facilities were also unscathed after Monday’s earthquake.
Municipalities ramped up their preparedness in the wake of the megaquake advisory, which is in effect until 16 December.
Local governments updated residents, checked emergency stocks, and tested communication systems. Citizens were urged to keep grab-and-go emergency megaquake kits ready.
Officials also issued public safety recommendations and urged families to sleep in the same room as elderly or vulnerable members and wear day clothes at night to allow faster evacuation in case of any emergency.
Most schools across northern Japan resumed classes today. Students shared stories of fear during the quake, but said daily life was slowly returning to normal. Drills and evacuation reviews took place in many classrooms, according to local reports.
Some examples of damage have been reported after Monday’s quake, including to the historic Chojasan Shinra Shrine in Aomori’s Hachinohe city.
A pub owner in Hachinohe was seen taping bottles to the wall after the quake smashed untethered glass items.
In the wake of Monday’s 7.5-magnitude earthquake, social media saw a wave of fake videos and conspiracy theories about the quake’s cause. Officials urged the public to rely only on verified government sources.
Even though the megaquake advisory remains in place and citizens have been urged to stay vigilant, there is currently no need for citizens to evacuate.
PM Takaichi urges residents to take ‘disaster-prevention measures’ amid megaquake fears
Wednesday 10 December 2025 19:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Prime minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters yesterday: “Due to the earthquake, the likelihood of a major earthquake occurring in the Hokkaido to the Sanriku offshore region is assessed to be higher than during normal times.”
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a warning for Hokkaido and the Sanriku coast, including Aomori, Miyagi, and Iwate, advising residents to stay alert for possible larger quakes in the coming days.
Takaichi said: “While fully understanding that it remains uncertain whether a major earthquake will actually occur, please take appropriate disaster-prevention measures based on the principle that you are responsible for protecting your own life.”
Takaichi urged residents to continue their day-to-day activities but asked them to remain vigilant for updates from Japan’s weather agency and local officials, while reviewing and reinforcing their evacuation plans in case a larger earthquake occurs.
Number of people injured by 7.5-magnitude earthquake rises to 51
Wednesday 10 December 2025 18:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Monday night’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake injured at least 51 people, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Earlier, the agency had said 34 were injured.
Eleven of them are from Hokkaido, 36 are in Aomori, and four are in Iwate prefecture.
Officials said that as of Wednesday morning, seven of the injuries were considered severe.
Is it safe to travel to Japan? Megaquake warning sparked by 7.5-magnitude tremor
Wednesday 10 December 2025 17:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Here is the latest travel advice and what you need to know following the massive earthquake in northern Japan:
Residents living near the Pacific coast have been urged by authorities to remain vigilant throughout the coming week and prepare evacuation plans in case they need to flee their homes.
At least 51 people were injured in the earthquake on Monday night, with waves reaching up to 70cm seen in several coastal communities.
How likely is it for a megaquake to strike?
Wednesday 10 December 2025 16:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Megaquakes are inherently unpredictable and can strike anywhere in Japan without warning.
However, the Japanese weather agency has said that they are sometimes preceded by a “somewhat smaller” earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher.
Historically, two major quakes were triggered just one to two days after such precursor events.
For example, a magnitude-7.3 quake off Sanriku in 2011 was followed two days later by the magnitude-9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Similarly, in 1963, a magnitude-7 quake southeast of Etorofu Island was followed 18 hours later by a magnitude 8.5 event.
Despite these cases, the agency has said that – based on global earthquake statistics – the likelihood of a major quake occurring after such an advisory is issued is only about one per cent, or roughly once in every 100 advisories.
Map shows where latest earthquake struck
Wednesday 10 December 2025 16:13 , Sam Rkaina
The latest earthquake has struck off the north east coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu.
The epicentre, the red circle in the GEOFON map below, is also south of the smaller island of Hokkaido.
Earthquake intensity revised down to 5.7
Wednesday 10 December 2025 15:53 , Sam Rkaina
The intensity of Wednesday’s earthquake has been revised down to 5.7, after it was initially reported to be 6.5.
The latest tremor struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.
The quake was at a depth of 31 km, EMSC added.
The agency earlier put the magnitude at 6.5 with a depth of 57 km, and said that it was in the Hokkaido region in the north of the country.
There were no immediate reports of damage after the quake.
Schools in northern and northeastern Japan reopen today
Wednesday 10 December 2025 15:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Most schools in northeastern and northern Japan reopened today after closures caused by Monday night’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake off Aomori Prefecture, though a rare megaquake alert remains in effect for coastal regions from Hokkaido to Chiba.
Over 300 schools across five prefectures – Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima – were closed yesterday, with some remaining shut due to quake damage.
Students have been asked to be ready for immediate evacuation for about a week.
At reopened schools, including a public elementary in Hachinohe, Aomori, no injuries were reported, and children quickly returned to normal routines, Mainichi reported.
Teachers conducted drills and reviewed evacuation procedures, while students shared experiences of fear and family preparedness following the quake, the outlet reported.
The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued tsunami warnings for parts of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, with Kuji Port recording a 70-centimetre wave.
The ongoing special alert for a potential massive quake covers 182 municipalities in seven prefectures.
Breaking: Hokkaido hit by 6.5 magnitude earthquake
Wednesday 10 December 2025 15:27 , Sam Rkaina
The Hokkaido region in Japan has been hit by earthquake of magnitude 6.5.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the latest quake was at a depth of 57 km.
It comes amid an ongoing warning from Japanese authorities that a megaquake could the region - a tremor of 8.0 or more.
Historic shrine in Aomori Prefecture sustains significant damage in Monday’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake
Wednesday 10 December 2025 15:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar
In Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture, Chojasan Shinra Shrine sustained significant damage from the magnitude 7.5 earthquake on Monday, local reports said.
Large stone lanterns lining both sides of the shrine were toppled, according to Nippon TV, while the torii gate’s historical signboard was left leaning.
The roof over the offering box area has also collapsed, and the glass doors of the main hall were shattered.
In the inner sanctuary, the outlet reported, a hole has appeared in the historic structure that was last renovated in 1827.
The shrine staff said that they had just begun preparations for the New Year, but these have now been disrupted by the destruction caused by the earthquake.
Chojasan Shinra Shrine is one of three shrines that participate in Hachinohe’s annual “Three Shrine Festival”.
The festival runs from 31 July to 4 August, during which portable shrines called o-mikoshi are carried from Ogami Shrine to Chojasan Shinra Shrine.
On 2 August, the shrine also hosts a Kagami-style Dakyu tournament. Dakyu is a traditional Japanese horseback team sport similar to polo, and it is now practised in only three locations in Japan, according to the shrine website.
Fake news and misinformation spreads on social media in the wake of earthquake
Wednesday 10 December 2025 14:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
False claims and AI-generated videos spread rapidly on social media after the magnitude-7.5 earthquake that struck Aomori Prefecture on Monday night, with conspiracy theories wrongly suggesting the quake was man-made.
Authorities, including the Japan Meteorological Agency, warned the public to avoid unverified information, noting that Japan does not and cannot predict quakes by exact date.
Misleading posts on X, Threads, and TikTok recycled patterns seen in past disasters, including fake tsunami footage and fabricated news clips.
No significant damage to infrastructure reported
Wednesday 10 December 2025 13:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
There was no significant damage to infrastructure and no abnormalities at any of Japan’s nuclear power plants after Monday’s massive earthquake.
Chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters that the government was still assessing the situation, gathering details on casualties and property damage, and had activated a crisis management office at the Prime Minister’s Office.
He said: “Based on the instruction from the prime minister, we are mobilising all resources for assessing the damage, conducting search-and-rescue operations and implementing emergency disaster relief measures under the policy of prioritising human life.”
Japan municipalities prepare for megaquake emergency
Wednesday 10 December 2025 13:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Municipalities in Japan have published explanations of the megaquake advisory on their websites and have begun checking their stocks of relief supplies and equipment for use at evacuation centres.
In Fukushima’s Iwaki City, officials urged residents to sign up for emergency email alerts, while in the town of Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, authorities inspected wireless communication systems to ensure they function during any further emergencies.
In the aftermath of Monday’s earthquake, officials have urged residents to keep an emergency bag stocked with several days’ worth of essential supplies, including food, water, medication, sturdy shoes and protective helmets.
Yesterday, Japan’s weather agency issued its highest-level warning that a megaquake could follow Monday’s 7.5-magnitude tremor.
Authorities urged anyone living near the Pacific coast to remain vigilant throughout the coming week.
Sleep in the same room as elders, government recommends in the wake of megaquake advisory
Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
In the wake of the megaquake advisory issued by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, the government has recommended sleeping in the same room with those who may need extra care, such as children and older adults, to ensure their safety during emergencies, according to The Japan Times.
Wearing day clothes instead of pyjamas that allow for quick evacuation without the need to change can save precious time in case of sudden danger, the recommendations say.
More than 30 people were injured in Monday’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake.
A rare megaquake advisory is in effect for coastal regions from Hokkaido to Chiba till 16 December.
How many prefectures does the megaquake advisory cover?
Wednesday 10 December 2025 11:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever special advisory yesterday, warning of possible megaquake and tsunami along the Hokkaido and Sanriku coasts, following Monday’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake off Aomori Prefecture’s eastern shore.
The advisory is issued whenever a magnitude-7 or higher earthquake occurs in northern Japan, signalling an elevated risk of a major trench-type quake along the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench.
The advisory currently covers 182 municipalities across seven prefectures: 63 in Hokkaido, 28 in Aomori, 23 in Iwate, 35 in Miyagi, 10 in Fukushima, nine in Ibaraki, and 14 in Chiba.
Residents in these areas could experience strong shaking – lower 6 or higher on Japan’s intensity scale – and tsunamis exceeding three metres.
The alert system was established in December 2022, drawing on historical patterns showing that significant earthquakes often follow magnitude-7 events along these trenches.
This is the first time the advisory has been activated since the system was launched.
Japan’s earthquake and ‘megaquake’ advisory: What we know so far
Wednesday 10 December 2025 11:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency has revised the casualty count from Monday night’s 7.5-magnitude earthquake, confirming that 51 people were injured across Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate provinces. Seven of those were rated as suffering severe injuries.
In the aftermath of that powerful tremor, Japan’s weather agency issued its first-ever top-tier warning for a “megaquake”, or an earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater. The megaquake advisory covers 182 municipalities across seven prefectures along the Pacific coast, from Hokkaido down to Chiba.
Officials have said that there has been no significant damage to major infrastructure and that nuclear power plant facilities were also unscathed after Monday’s earthquake.
Municipalities ramped up their preparedness in the wake of the megaquake advisory, which is in effect until 16 December.
Local governments updated residents, checked emergency stocks, and tested communication systems. Citizens were urged to keep grab-and-go emergency megaquake kits ready.
Officials also issued public safety recommendations and urged families to sleep in the same room as elderly or vulnerable members and wear day clothes at night to allow faster evacuation in case of any emergency.
Most schools across northern Japan resumed classes today. Students shared stories of fear during the quake, but said daily life was slowly returning to normal. Drills and evacuation reviews took place in many classrooms, according to local reports.
Some examples of damage have been reported after Monday’s quake, including to the historic Chojasan Shinra Shrine in Aomori’s Hachinohe city.
A pub owner in Hachinohe was seen taping bottles to the wall after the quake smashed untethered glass items.
In the wake of Monday’s 7.5-magnitude earthquake, social media saw a wave of fake videos and conspiracy theories about the quake’s cause. Officials urged the public to rely only on verified government sources.
Even though the megaquake advisory remains in place and citizens have been urged to stay vigilant, there is currently no need for citizens to evacuate.
Expert says do not ignore possibility of a megaquake
Wednesday 10 December 2025 10:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Japanese authorities estimate that there is a 1 per cent chance of a massive earthquake occurring within the next week.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued its highest-level warning that a megaquake could follow yesterday’s 7.5-magnitude tremor.
Authorities urged anyone living near the Pacific coast to remain vigilant throughout the coming week and to prepare evacuation plans in case they need to flee their homes.
Professor Sekiya Naoya of the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School warns that if such a disaster were to strike, up to 200,000 lives could be at risk.
According to NHK Japan, he urged the public not to ignore this possibility, and added that the Japan Meteorological Agency’s advisory should serve as a reminder to review emergency plans and preparedness measures.
Students returning to school today recount the horrors of Monday’s earthquake as life slowly returns to normal
Wednesday 10 December 2025 09:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Students were seen returning to their classrooms in northern Japan today after Monday’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake.
“Yesterday, I discussed with my family what we should do when the next earthquake strikes. I’m happy to see my friends,” Aren Shirayama, a 9-year-old third grader told Japan’s Mainichi.
Sixth-grader Asahi Yoshida, 12, shared: “I was scared since furniture toppled over and dishes were scattered. I spent time yesterday talking with my family and playing games. Our usual daily life has returned.”
Meanwhile, teachers at an elementary school in Shinhidaka, along southern Hokkaido’s coast, reviewed evacuation procedures during morning drills.
Naomi Kumagai, the school’s vice principal, said: “Children appeared to be the same as usual.”
Authorities continue to monitor the region amid a megaquake advisory.
Number of people injured by 7.5-magnitude earthquake rises to 51
Wednesday 10 December 2025 09:01 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Monday night’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake injured at least 51 people, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Earlier, the agency had said 34 were injured.
Eleven of them are from Hokkaido, 36 are in Aomori, and four are in Iwate prefecture.
Officials said that as of Wednesday morning, seven of the injuries were considered severe.
Hachinohe pub secures bottles as megaquake advisory issued
Wednesday 10 December 2025 08:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
An employee at a local pub in Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture was seen securing bottles and glasses with tape at the pub after Monday’s magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off northern Japan, scattering dishes and other items.
The nation’s weather agency has also issued a rare megaquake advisory and asked the public to stay vigilant for the next week.
The quake on Monday night injured more than 30 people, damaged roads, and left thousands without power amid freezing temperatures.
Is it safe to travel to Japan? Megaquake warning sparked by 7.5-magnitude tremor
Wednesday 10 December 2025 00:30 , Shaheena Uddin
Japan’s weather agency has warned that another large-scale earthquake could follow the 7.5-magnitude tremor which hit the country on Monday.
