Northern Japan Earthquake of Magnitude 6.9 Causes Partial Shinkansen Suspension, No Casualties Reported

(CNA Tokyo, June 25, Comprehensive Foreign News) The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of northeastern Japan today, with tremors felt in Tokyo hundreds of kilometers away. Authorities did not issue a tsunami warning, and no casualties have been reported so far, with no abnormalities found at any nuclear facilities.

According to reports from Agence France-Presse and Reuters, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that the Japanese government has established an emergency response team to gather information related to the earthquake and is prepared to launch disaster relief operations. "There is currently no information indicating casualties, but we will continue to monitor and assess the developing situation."

The Japan Meteorological Agency indicated that the earthquake's focal depth was approximately 50 kilometers, with the epicenter located off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. Apart from slight changes in sea level, no tsunami damage is expected.

However, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) announced that it has suspended some train operations following the earthquake, including high-speed rail services on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. Additionally, sections of expressways in Aomori Prefecture were closed for safety inspections.

Japan classifies earthquake intensity on a scale of 0 to 7. In this earthquake, Aomori Prefecture experienced a level 6 intensity. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, at this intensity level, people may be unable to stand, could be thrown down, unsecured furniture may topple, and windowpanes may break.

A woman in Hashe-machi, Aomori Prefecture, told Agence France-Presse that only a picture frame fell in her home. Footage from Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) showed that traffic in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, was normal, and traffic lights were functioning properly.

Tohoku Electric Power Co. stated that no abnormalities were found at its Onagawa nuclear power plant or the Higashidori nuclear power plant, which is currently in a shutdown state. The Nuclear Regulation Authority reported that no abnormalities were found at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and other nearby nuclear facilities.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has instructed all ministries, government agencies, and local authorities to cooperate closely. He stated on social media platform X: "Residents in areas that experienced strong shaking are urged to remain vigilant and be aware of the possibility of future earthquakes of similar intensity."