Magnitude 4.9 Quake Off Fukushima, No Tsunami Warning Issued

FUKUSHIMA, Oct 07 (News On Japan) - A magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture around 9:30 a.m. on October 7th, registering a maximum intensity of 4 on the Japanese seismic scale. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, there is no risk of a tsunami caused by this tremor.

The quake struck at a depth of about 50 kilometers beneath the seabed off Fukushima, with strong shaking recorded in the towns of Futaba and Namie, both registering an intensity of 4. Areas across Fukushima and Miyagi Prefectures also experienced intensity-3 shaking. Reports collected by Weathernews described the tremor as a sudden jolt that felt like being pushed upward, particularly near the epicenter.

Just two days earlier, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake had occurred in nearly the same area off the coast of Fukushima in the early hours of October 5th, also recording a maximum intensity of 4. This latest quake originated slightly west of that epicenter, and while smaller in scale, it was located slightly closer to land, resulting in similar shaking levels.

The region off Fukushima is known for frequent seismic activity, as the Pacific Plate continues to subduct beneath the continental plate along the Japan Trench. Earthquakes of magnitudes between 5 and 6 occur relatively often in this zone. Experts warn that residents should remain alert for future tremors and continue taking precautions against strong quakes.

According to Weathernews, the area has seen repeated quakes at depths around 50 kilometers, consistent with the current event, reflecting the area’s geological instability. Residents are advised to stay informed through the latest updates from official weather and disaster information sources.

Source: ウェザーニュース

Typhoon No. 22 Forecast to Approach South of Japan Before Turning East

As of 7:30 a.m. on October 7th, satellite images showed Typhoon No. 22 (Halong) rapidly developing as it moved northward, with its eye becoming increasingly distinct. Earlier in the morning, dry air had surrounded the center, but by this time the area was fully covered by thick cloud bands, indicating significant strengthening. By 9 a.m., the typhoon had reached “strong” intensity, with maximum sustained winds near the center reaching 35 meters per second and a central pressure of 975 hectopascals. The system was moving due north at around 15 kilometers per hour.

Magnitude 4.9 Quake Off Fukushima, No Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture around 9:30 a.m. on October 7th, registering a maximum intensity of 4 on the Japanese seismic scale. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, there is no risk of a tsunami caused by this tremor.

Trump Congratulates Japan on First Female Prime Minister Takaichi

Former U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media to congratulate Japan following the selection of its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, writing that "Japan has just elected its first female Prime Minister, a highly respected person of great wisdom and strength.” While Trump did not name Takaichi directly, his post came as she assumed leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and was set to be formally elected as prime minister.

Osaka University Professor Sakaguchi Wins Nobel Prize

Osaka University’s Shimon Sakaguchi, a specially appointed professor, has been awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking work in immunology. Sakaguchi is best known for discovering “regulatory T cells,” a type of immune cell that suppresses excessive immune responses, a finding that has had far-reaching implications in medical science.

Driver In Training Behind Tokyu Line Collision That Caused Train Derailment

A collision occurred on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line on the night of October 5th when a local train attempting to arrive at Kajigaya Station in Kawasaki City struck a stationary out-of-service train, causing several cars of the latter to derail. Investigators from the Japan Transport Safety Board arrived at the scene on the morning of October 6th to begin examining the cause of the accident.

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