Recently, Hokkaido has experienced several earthquakes of magnitude 4 or higher, with a magnitude 6.3 quake occurring early today (2nd), centered off the coast of Tokachi, causing shaking of magnitude 4 in multiple areas of Hokkaido. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings about the possibility of further strong earthquakes.

Since May, Hokkaido has witnessed multiple magnitude 4 earthquakes. Reports indicate that regions off the coast of Urakawa, southern Tokachi, and Kushiro have experienced magnitude 4 quakes in recent days. The Meteorological Agency noted that these earthquakes are occurring at the boundary between the Pacific and land plates, and although the epicenters are scattered, they are not directly related to one another.

However, given the history of significant earthquakes in the Kuril Trench area, the agency has alerted that strong quakes could occur at any time. In 2003, Hokkaido encountered a magnitude 8.0 earthquake off the coast of Tokachi, which registered a weak shaking of magnitude 6.

The Meteorological Agency has also established a “Hokkaido and Sanriku Offshore Aftershock Information Release System,” whereby if an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or greater occurs in the Kuril Trench or Japan Trench areas, information will be disseminated to 182 municipalities in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba within about 2 hours. This information serves to alert residents of an increased risk of significant earthquakes, which may result in tsunamis exceeding 3 meters or strong tremors of magnitude 6 or more.