Overview

• Tsunami warnings issued after a magnitude-8 earthquake near Kamchatka on July 30 were downgraded to advisories by evening with no major structural damage reported along Japan’s Pacific coast.
• Evacuation orders covering more than 70,000 residents in Chiba and other coastal prefectures prompted shelter in heat-challenged facilities before authorities signaled safe return routes.
• Transport and tourism services including ferries, trains and coastal attractions were suspended at midday and have been gradually restored following safety checks.
• Central and prefectural agencies coordinated multilingual alerts and leveraged vice ministers’ leadership during the disaster management minister’s absence.
• A fatal traffic accident in Mie Prefecture underscored evacuation risks while officials continue to monitor aftershocks and review emergency response protocols.