Western Japan shaken by 6.4-magnitude quake, aftershocks ripple through region

A strong earthquake shook western Japan on Tuesday, the first major tremor of 2026 in the region, but authorities said there was no risk of a tsunami and no life-threatening injuries reported.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake struck at about 10:18 a.m. local time in eastern Shimane Prefecture at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres. It was initially measured at magnitude 6.2 before being upgraded to 6.4. The epicenter was inland, and the tremor registered in the upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, one of the higher levels indicating strong shaking.

Several aftershocks followed, including ones measuring magnitude 5.1 and 5.4 within half an hour of the main tremor. Emergency services reported four people in Matsue City were injured from falls, while minor roof and road damage occurred in some areas. No deaths were reported.

Shinkansen bullet trains were temporarily delayed or suspended as safety inspections were carried out. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no abnormalities at the Shimane nuclear power plant or related facilities, ensuring immediate safety concerns were eased.

Japan experiences frequent earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire , a highly active seismic zone where several tectonic plates meet. The country sits at the convergence of the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American plates . The movement and collision of these plates create stress in the Earth’s crust, which is released in the form of earthquakes. Some quakes occur inland and are shallow, causing strong shaking but no tsunami, while others along the coast can trigger powerful tsunamis.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert for potential aftershocks over the next week , noting that seismic activity in the region continues.