Nearly 2,200 quakes hit Japan’s Tokara Islands since June 21

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Nearly 2,200 earthquakes have struck the sea area around Japan’s southwestern Tokara Island chain since June 21, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday, citing the national meteorological agency.

As of 11 am local time (0200GMT), the Japan Meteorological Agency had recorded 2,193 tremors with magnitudes of 1.0 or higher off the Tokara Islands, located in Kagoshima Prefecture.

There were 14 quakes on Friday, 15 on Saturday, and three by late Sunday morning.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert for further earthquakes.

Seismic activity has intensified around the islands of Akusekijima and Kodakarajima since June 21. A lower 6 magnitude earthquake struck near Akusekijima on July 3, followed by two upper 5 magnitude tremors on July 6 and another lower 5 quake on July 7.

Historical records show the region experienced similar activity in 2021 and 2023, but the current number of quakes has already surpassed those earlier events.