6.2-Magnitude Earthquake, Aftershocks Jolt Japan, Bullet Train Services Suspended

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 struck Japan’s western Chugoku region on Tuesday, triggering a series of noticeable aftershocks, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

The JMA said the epicenter of the main quake was located in eastern Shimane Prefecture. Authorities confirmed there was no threat of a Tsunami following the tremor.

The Shimane Nuclear Power Station, situated about 32 kilometers from the epicenter, reported no operational abnormalities. The plant’s operator, Chugoku Electric Power, said activities at its No. 2 reactor unit were continuing as normal. Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority also confirmed that no irregularities were detected.

The Shimane plant’s No. 2 unit was restarted in December 2024, marking the first reactor restart since all of Japan’s nuclear power plants were shut down after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011.

On Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 1 to 7, the quake registered an upper-5 level, a strength at which it becomes difficult for people to move without holding onto something for support.

Japan is among the most seismically active countries in the world, experiencing frequent earthquakes due to its location along major tectonic plate boundaries. Nearly one-fifth of all earthquakes worldwide with a magnitude of six or higher occur in and around Japan.

In response to the quake, West Japan Railway announced the suspension of Shinkansen bullet-train services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata as a safety precaution. Inspections were carried out to ensure the integrity of rail infrastructure before services could resume.