Japan is no stranger to earthquakes – the country sits on the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, which is a tectonic belt of volcanoes and earthquakes, and experiences an estimated 1,500 tremors per year.
However, at around 11pm local time on Monday December 8, a 7.5 magnitude quake struck around 80km off the country’s coast, and triggered power outages, suspensions to public transport, and tsunami warnings. Though tsunami warnings have since been lifted, the effects of the earthquake continue, so we’ve compiled all the most up-to-date information about whether or not it’s safe to travel. Read on for everything you need to know.
Where did the earthquake hit in Japan?
The earthquake took place around 80km off the northeast coast at around 11.15pm local time, reaching a magnitude of 7.5.
Areas that experienced damage include Hachionhe, where several people in a hotel were injured and where one resident said that glasses and bowls fell from shelves and smashed on the floor because of the shaking. Around 480 people took shelter in the city’s Air Base, according to defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
Is there a tsunami warning?
A tsunami warning was issued for three Japanese prefectures in the north, which included orders for 90,000 residents to be evacuated, and waves of up to 70cm were reported along northeastern shores such as in Kuji port in Iwate prefecture, which is south of Aomori.
Is it safe to travel?
So far, it seems that 23 people were injured, but the earthquake has only caused minor damage. Around 800 homes were temporarily without power, and Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains suspended their services.
There are also reports of 200 passengers being stranded at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, and 450 litres of water spilled from a fuel cooling area at the Tokkasha fuel processing plant in Aomori, though the Nuclear Regulation Authority said that it isn’t a major safety concern.
While tsunami warnings have now been lifted, as of 6.31am local time, the government has warned that residents should remain on high alert in case there are more aftershocks, and also that ground in areas where the shocks were particularly concentrated is ‘likely to be weak’, which could pose a landslide risk.
Are flights still running to and from Japan after the earthquake?
Travel and Tour World reports that across Japan’s airports (which include Tokyo Haneda, New Chitose, Fukuoka, Osaka Itami and Sendai) 119 flights were cancelled and a whopping 755 were delayed, including the services run by operators ANA Wings, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.
If you’re due to fly to Japan imminently, contact your travel provider directly to see how your journey might have been affected.
What’s the latest advice from the FCDO?
The UK government’s travel advice page reads: ‘All tsunami advisories have been lifted following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake off Aomori prefecture on 8 December. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of the possibility of another follow-up large-scale earthquake over the next 7 days. Follow the advice of local authorities. For further information, read the NHK website.’
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
Because travelling to Japan has not been explicitly advised against by the FCDO, you won’t automatically be entitled to a refund. To see what can be done about postponing or cancelling your travel plans, check your travel insurance policy and speak to your provider.
When was the last earthquake in Japan?
Japan sits over the boundary of four different tectonic plates (the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian and North American), meaning it’s susceptible to a high frequency of tremors and subsequent tsunami risks.
The most notable, the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami which led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster, happened nearly 15 years ago in March 2011. It was a magnitude 9 earthquake, one of the biggest recorded for 100 years, and as of March 2021, the confirmed and presumed death toll is almost 20,000 people.
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