6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Japan, No Tsunami Alerts Issued Yet | Global News

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Japan on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the region. The epicentre of the quake was located in a channel between Kyushu and Shikoku islands, approximately 18 kilometres west of Uwajima, with a depth of about 25 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.

Fortunately, no tsunami warnings were issued, and there have been no reports of damage so far. The operator of the Ikata nuclear plant in Ehime prefecture, where one reactor is currently functioning, confirmed that there were no irregularities following the earthquake.

Japan is no stranger to seismic activity, experiencing frequent earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The country accounts for approximately one-fifth of all earthquakes worldwide with a magnitude of 6 or higher.

The nation faced a devastating disaster on March 11, 2011, when a magnitude 9 earthquake struck the northeast coast, triggering a massive tsunami. This event led to the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl, occurring twenty-five years earlier.

Despite the country’s preparedness for earthquakes, each new tremor serves as a reminder of the ever-present threat of natural disasters in Japan. The resilience of the Japanese people and their ability to bounce back from such challenges is a testament to their strength and unity in the face of adversity.