Earthquake in Japan

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       Powerful Earthquake Hits Japan, and Officials Warn of Aftershocks

       There were reports of collapsed buildings and people being trapped underneath them. The quake disrupted electricity and phone service, and initially raised fears of a tsunami.

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       Powerful Earthquake Hits Japan, Setting Off Tsunami Warnings

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       The epicenter of the quake was in Ishikawa Prefecture, along the west coast of Japan. CreditCredit...Kyodo, via Reuters

       By Motoko Rich

       Reporting from Tokyo

       Jan. 1, 2024Updated 3:03 p.m. ET

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       A powerful earthquake struck western Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders, trapping people under collapsed buildings and disrupting electricity and mobile phone services in Ishikawa Prefecture, the epicenter of the quake, the Japanese authorities said.

       Initial reports suggested the quake did not cause the major tsunami waves or fatalities that had initially been feared, but officials cautioned about the possibility that major aftershocks could occur over the next week, and particularly in the next few days.

       The quake struck the Noto Peninsula around 4:10 p.m. and had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. At least four people died as a result of the quake, according to the authorities in Ishikawa Prefecture. It was much weaker than the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, causing a tsunami that killed thousands and led to a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant.

       Map: Earthquake Strikes Japan View the location of the quake’s epicenter and shake area.

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       Motoko Rich is a reporter in Tokyo, leading coverage of Japan for The Times. More about Motoko Rich

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