JAKARTA - A series of strong earthquakes, including an initial magnitude 6.4 earthquake, shook Shimane and Tottori prefectures in western Japan on Tuesday (6/1).
The Japanese Meteorological Agency confirmed that no tsunami was observed.
Local governments reported that as of Tuesday evening, four people were injured in Shimane and one in Tottori. Two people were also injured in Hiroshima Prefecture and one in Okayama Prefecture.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) asked the public to remain vigilant because seismic activity is still high and earthquakes of a similar magnitude are potentially occurring up to a week in the future.
"There is a precedent around this epicenter, where earthquakes of similar magnitude have occurred in a row after a major earthquake," said Ayataka Ebita, Head of the Earthquake and Tsunami Observation Division of the JMA, at a press conference reported by ANTARA from Kyodo, Tuesday, January 6.
The main earthquake occurred at 10.18 am (08.18 WIB) in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture with a depth of 11 kilometers.
The magnitude of the earthquake was revised from the initial report of 6.2 to 6.4, with an intensity reaching the upper level of 5 on the Japanese seismic scale (maximum 7).
The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks within a short time, including an M5.1 earthquake at 10.28 and an M5.4 at 10.37.
Damage to buildings and infrastructure was reported in the affected areas.
Ceiling panels collapsed on several floors of the Yonago City Hall, western Tottori, while tap water in the neighboring city of Nanbu turned cloudy, affecting thousands of residents.
According to the JMA, this earthquake was the first to record an intensity of 5 Upper (Upper5) or more in the region since an earthquake with a magnitude of 6 Lower (Lower6) shook Tottori in October 2016 and an intensity of 5 Upper shook Shimane in April 2018.
A liaison office was established at the office of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. He said the government would continue to make every effort to deal with the impact of the earthquake.
Operator Chugoku Electric Power Co. said no abnormalities were detected at the Shimane nuclear plant in Matsue.
The Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train service was disrupted between Shin-Osaka and Hakata stations due to a power outage and other factors, but resumed around 13:00, according to JR West.
West Nippon Expressway Co. stated that a number of toll roads, including the Yonago Expressway and the Sanin Expressway, were temporarily closed due to the earthquake before reopening at around 13.30.
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