
Social Media Rumors of Major Earthquake ‘Not Scientific'; Prediction Impossible, Japan Meteorological Agency Says
At a press conference on Thursday evening, an official of the agency made the remark regarding the rumor that if earthquakes occur frequently in the areas around the Tokara Islands, a major earthquake could happen in a different location.
As for a rumor that a major catastrophe may occur in July 2025, the official also said, 'Current science and technology can't predict earthquakes.'
The agency said the risk of collapsed houses and landslides is increasing in areas hit by strong tremors. It also urged local residents to be vigilant about earthquakes of the same level of magnitude for the time being.
According to the agency, the recent earthquakes in the Tokara Islands include the first one to measure lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 to have been observed in Toshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, since the current earthquake and tsunami observation system was put in place in 1994.Related ArticlesJapan PM Ishiba: Govt to Take all Possible Measures on Tokara Islands Earthquakes
Japan's Tokara Islands Hit by at Least 60 Quakes Measuring 1 or Stronger on Japanese Seismic Intensity Scale on Friday as of Around Noon
More than 1,000 Earthquakes Observed around Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Pref.; Highest Number in 10-Day Span
Strong Earthquake Hits Japan's Akuseki-jima Island, Kagoshima Pref.; No Tsunami Feared

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5 hours ago
Another Strong Quake Hits off Tokara Islands
Kagoshima/Tokyo, July 5 (Jiji Press)--An earthquake measuring up to upper 5, fourth highest on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, struck Saturday morning off Akusekijima, one of the Tokara Islands in the southwestern Japan prefecture of Kagoshima, following a series of tremors that have continued in the region since late last month. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake that occurred at 6:29 a.m. Saturday had a magnitude of 5.4, with an epicenter located southwest of Akusekijima in the village of Toshima, Kagoshima, at a depth of about 19 kilometers. The epicenter was almost the same as that of the 5.1 magnitude earthquake measuring up to lower 5 that occurred in the same area around dawn on Wednesday. This morning's quake "occurred amid a series of seismic activities, so there is nothing unusual," Ayataka Ebita, director of the agency's Earthquake and Tsunami Observation Division, told a press conference in Tokyo on Saturday, calling on people in the region to beware of possible earthquakes with intensities of around lower 6. As of Saturday morning, the Tokara Islands had been hit by more than 1,300 quakes strong enough to be felt since June 21. Tremors measuring 4 also hit the area on Saturday. As to whether the rumors on social media that a major earthquake would occur in Japan on Saturday came true, Ebita said: "It's a complete coincidence. With the current scientific knowledge, it is difficult to predict an earthquake by specifying the date, time, location and scale." [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]


The Mainichi
7 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Editorial: Japan urged to return indigenous remains to restore dignity
The University of Tokyo and other institutions have returned the remains of overseas indigenous people that had been held for research purposes for about a century. Some of them were collected through inappropriate methods, and it must be said that the response has been too slow. The remains of 10 indigenous people that were returned to Australia had been collected by institutions including the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. In November 2024, the former also returned the remains of 10 people to indigenous Hawaiians. The study of indigenous remains expanded as anthropology, which explores the origins of races and ethnicities, became popular in Europe and the United States in the 19th century. Anthropology at the time classified humans based on physical characteristics, and was used to justify colonial rule on the basis of racial superiority. Remains and burial items for research were collected through methods such as robbing graves. In the 1970s, movements seeking restoration of indigenous rights gained momentum. Reflecting on the past, laws concerning remains were established in the United States and Australia from the 1980s onward, and the return of indigenous remains became a global trend. However, Japan's response lagged. It was revealed in 2016 that remains of Japan's indigenous Ainu people and indigenous Australians had been exchanged between researchers in both countries. Subsequently, the Australian government sought to achieve the mutual return of the remains, but the University of Tokyo's response was reportedly sluggish, as there was an opinion they could possibly be retained for research purposes. The Japanese government was also reluctant to demand a move, stating that "the handling of remains should be left to the autonomous judgment of universities." It was not until 2023, when the Australian government formally requested their return, that the Japanese government ordered universities and museums nationwide to investigate the storage status of Australian indigenous remains. The right of indigenous peoples to reclaim human remains was recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2007. Japan supported this declaration and should be responsible for responding sincerely to return requests. Other remains of indigenous peoples from countries such as Indonesia are still held by Japanese universities and museums. According to sources including past diplomatic documents, there have been cases where the Japanese government has been involved in the transportation of remains from overseas. The return of remains is a step toward restoring the dignity of indigenous peoples. Universities should independently investigate the status of remains in their custody. The government should also support these surveys and ascertain the overall situation.


Yomiuri Shimbun
7 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Kagoshima Island to Evacuate More Residents After Strong Quake; Meteorological Agency Stresses Importance of Preparation
A strong earthquake measuring upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 hit Akusekijima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Saturday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The quake with an estimated magnitude of 5.4 occurred around the Tokara Islands, which includes Akusekijima, in the prefecture at 6:29 a.m. The focus was under the sea at a depth of about 19 kilometers, and no tsunami was observed, the agency said. Between June 21 and Saturday at 7 a.m., a total of 1,303 earthquakes measuring 1 or stronger on the Japanese seismic intensity scale have been recorded in the area. On Thursday, an earthquake measuring lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale struck the island. At a press conference on Saturday morning, an official of the agency urged people to be on alert for earthquakes of a similar scale as Saturday's. The agency also dismissed rumors about a possible major earthquake in July, stating that it is difficult to predict the date, location and scale of earthquakes under current scientific knowledge. 'We want the public to be prepared for earthquakes at all times as they can occur any time in Japan,' the official said. Tokara Mayor Genichiro Kubo said Saturday he would conduct the second round of evacuation for island residents. They will leave the island on a village-operated ferry for Kagoshima City on Sunday morning. The number of residents wishing to evacuate the island is increasing, and at least 20 people were expected to evacuate Sunday. On Friday, 13 people of eight households on the island aged 0 to 80 evacuated to the ArticlesJapan PM Ishiba: Govt to Take all Possible Measures on Tokara Islands Earthquakes Japan's Tokara Islands Hit by at Least 60 Quakes Measuring 1 or Stronger on Japanese Seismic Intensity Scale on Friday as of Around Noon More than 1,000 Earthquakes Observed around Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Pref.; Highest Number in 10-Day Span Strong Earthquake Hits Japan's Akuseki-jima Island, Kagoshima Pref.; No Tsunami Feared