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Earthquake in Japan today
Was there an earthquake in Japan today? Check USGS epicentres, magnitudes and depths and compare the observed seismic intensity from JMA.
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Latest earthquakes
UpdatedUpdates every minute while this page is visible
No known events in this window
This describes the available catalogue, not an all-clear. Try a longer period or check the latest known event below.
The last 30 days
- Latest recorded earthquake
- No records in 30 days
- Strongest in 30 days
- No records in 30 days
- Earthquakes in the catalogue
- 0USGS
- Magnitude 4.5 or larger
- 0M ≥ 4.5
Data from USGS, updated automatically. This is not a warning; official alerts come from national authorities. Times are shown in Japan Standard Time (UTC+9).
Where earthquakes happen in Japan
Japan and Kuril trenches (Pacific side)
Off Tōhoku and Hokkaidō the Pacific Plate dives beneath Japan, producing great earthquakes and tsunamis such as the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake (M9.1) and the 1933 Sanriku earthquake.
Nankai and Sagami troughs
The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake came from the Sagami Trough. The Nankai Trough off south-western Japan has produced repeated great earthquakes; in August 2024 the JMA issued its first Nankai Trough megaquake advisory.
Inland faults and the Sea of Japan side
The 1995 Kobe, 2016 Kumamoto and 2024 Noto earthquakes were shallow crustal events of around M7 that caused severe damage close to towns.
Earthquake magnitude and local shaking in Japan
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) publishes observed seismic intensity by location. If you felt an earthquake in Japan, look for the intensity at the nearest station or municipality. Two places can record different shaking from the same earthquake because intensity describes the motion at each site.
The Japan Trench lies east of the country, offshore. To see nearby epicentres in the Pacific, open the world map or search around a coastal city. Compare origin time and depth when you match an event to a JMA bulletin.
Major earthquakes
Key earthquakes in Japan, checked against the USGS catalogue (dates in Japan time):
- 9.1Mww
- 7.5Mww
- 7.0Mww
- 6.9Mw
- 8.0Mw
- 8.4Mw
Travelling in Japan
Shindo, Japan's intensity scale from 0 to 7, describes local shaking; the magnitude shown here is from the USGS and can differ from the JMA magnitude. Phones in Japan receive JMA Earthquake Early Warnings.
On the coast, after strong or long shaking go to high ground and stay there until tsunami warnings are lifted.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the latest earthquake in Japan?
The first panel shows the latest earthquake in the catalogue in Japan time. The JMA publishes shindo and tsunami information.
Why do the JMA and the USGS report different magnitudes?
They use different networks and magnitude methods; JMA magnitude and moment magnitude are not identical.
When will the Nankai Trough earthquake happen?
No one can predict the date. Japan's earthquake research headquarters publishes long-term probabilities instead.
Latest known event
Latest known event · Asia/Tokyo
Sources and coverage
Source: USGS · GeoNames · CC BY 4.0 · Natural Earth
The location is the reported epicentre. Offshore context is separate from a position inside a country. Small-event coverage varies by region.
Historical context
The historical catalogue includes USGS M6+ from 1900, M4.5+ from 1970 and delivered events since the project began. It is not a complete record of all small earthquakes.