A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off Japan's Noto Peninsula late Tuesday night, shaking a region still recovering from a devastating earthquake earlier this year. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami risk.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre measured the quake at a magnitude of 6.2 and a slightly shallower depth of 8 kilometers (5 miles). Despite the strength of the tremor, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.
"This earthquake may cause slight changes to sea levels along the coast of Japan, but there is no expectation of damage," Japan's Cabinet Office posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Rail services in the region were disrupted, with JR West suspending bullet train operations on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line between Toyama and Kanazawa as a precaution.
Safety checks were conducted at the Shika nuclear power plant, located near the epicenter. NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, reported minor damage to two idled reactors but confirmed there was no radiation leak or public danger.
The Noto Peninsula has experienced heightened seismic activity this year, including a 7.6 magnitude quake on January 1 that killed more than 370 people and caused widespread infrastructure damage. That disaster left buildings toppled, roads destroyed, and families mourning amid New Year's celebrations.
An NHK reporter in Ishikawa Prefecture, where the latest quake was felt, described a sudden vertical "thrust" during the tremor, though traffic lights and other infrastructure appeared unaffected.
Japan sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where four tectonic plates converge. The country experiences approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually, though most are minor.
The recent quake has rekindled concerns about the region's vulnerability and its preparedness for larger seismic events. Residents remain on edge, with the memory of January's disaster still fresh.
