Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Off Fukushima Coast... Tremors Felt as Far as Tokyo (Comprehensive)

Japanese Government Establishes Countermeasures Office in Crisis Management Center
Suspension of Some Shinkansen High-Speed Rail Lines and Public Transportation Operations
Possibility of Sea Level Changes... Low Concern for 'Tsunami' Damage

On the afternoon of the 13th, a powerful earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, causing furniture in a household in Fukushima to topple over.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] At around 11:08 PM on the 13th, a strong earthquake estimated at magnitude 7.1 occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, there are no concerns about tsunami (seismic sea wave) damage, and the government has launched disaster response efforts at the Crisis Management Center.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK and the Meteorological Agency, the epicenter of the earthquake on that day was located at 37.7 degrees north latitude and 141.8 degrees east longitude, with an estimated depth of about 60 km.

Currently, NHK has suspended regular programming and switched to an earthquake special report system, and major private broadcasters in Japan have also scheduled special reports to deliver breaking news related to the earthquake.

Due to the earthquake on this day, the maximum seismic intensity at specific locations reached a strong intensity 6 in some areas of Fukushima and Miyagi Prefecture. The seismic intensity refers to the relative strength of shaking caused by the earthquake detected at a specific location.

A seismic intensity of strong 6 means that during evacuation, one must crawl to move, and being thrown off balance can occur. Furniture not fixed indoors is likely to move or topple over.

Wooden buildings with weak earthquake resistance may tilt or collapse, and outdoor wall tiles or window glass may be damaged. Due to this earthquake, some lines of the high-speed Shinkansen and JR lines suspended operations.

Earthquake Impact Analysis Diagram. Photo by Japan Meteorological Agency

The tremors from this earthquake were strongly felt even in central Tokyo, and the shaking lasted for several tens of seconds. Additionally, due to the earthquake's aftereffects, power outages occurred on some sections of the Shinkansen in the eastern region, causing suspension of operations.

Meanwhile, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, although there may be slight sea level fluctuations along the Japanese coast due to this earthquake, there is no possibility of a tsunami occurring.

Also, according to Kyodo News, Tokyo Electric Power Company is checking and inspecting for abnormalities at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Japan Atomic Power Company stated that no immediate or special abnormalities were confirmed at the Tokai No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant in Tokai-mura, Ibaraki Prefecture, where a seismic intensity of weak 5 was observed.

The Japanese government established a countermeasures office at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo at 11:09 PM, contacted local governments, collected damage information, and responded to the earthquake while confirming casualties.