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M6.2 Quake Rattles Japan’s Shimane Prefecture, Triggering Strong Aftershocks

Officials caution residents to expect more strong aftershocks this week.

Overview

  • The shallow quake struck at 10:18 a.m. local time on Jan. 6 at roughly 10 km depth, producing upper-5 shaking in parts of Shimane and neighboring Tottori.
  • The Japan Meteorological Agency reported no tsunami risk, and subsequent tremors around magnitude 5.1 and 5.4 followed within minutes.
  • Several minor injuries were reported from falls and cooking accidents, and localized damage included roof tiles, collapsed walls, and toppled gravestones.
  • Shinkansen service between Shin-Osaka and Hakata was temporarily suspended and regional trains experienced delays during safety checks.
  • Inspections found the Shimane Nuclear Power Station operating normally with no irregularities, and magnitude estimates differed across agencies, with JMA near 6.2 and USGS around 5.7–5.8.