TOKYO: Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Strikes Shimane Prefecture, Followed by Strong Aftershocks; Bullet Train Service Suspended
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake has been recorded in Japan’s Chugoku region, with the epicenter located in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture.
According to international media reports, several intense aftershocks were felt following the main tremor.
Japanese authorities have confirmed that there is no risk of a tsunami, while the Meteorological Department reported that the quake registered an upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, which ranges from 1 to 7.
In response to the earthquake, Japan Railways has temporarily halted bullet train operations between Osaka and Hakata.
On January 6, 2026, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Japan’s western Chugoku region, with the epicenter located in eastern Shimane Prefecture at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers.
The tremor occurred around 10:18 a.m. local time and registered an upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 1 to 7 in parts of Shimane and neighboring Tottori prefectures, strong enough to make standing difficult without support.
It was followed by multiple aftershocks, including several in the magnitude 4.5 to 5.4 range. Japanese authorities confirmed no tsunami warning was issued, and there were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties, though a few minor injuries were noted in some accounts.
Operations at the nearby Shimane Nuclear Power Station continued normally with no irregularities detected.
In response, bullet train services on the Sanyo Shinkansen line between Shin-Osaka and Hakata were temporarily suspended for safety inspections. Japan, lying on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent seismic activity, accounting for around one-fifth of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher.
