Japan earthquake News

Japan Quake and Tsunami Reminder of 2011 Catastrophic Event

At first, it was 2011 all over again. “It really came back. And it was so awful. The sways to the side were huge,” Kazuhiro Onuki said after northeastern Japan was jolted Tuesday by a magnitude-7.4 earthquake, the strongest since …

Twin Japan Quakes Cause Business Disruption

The twin earthquakes that struck southern Japan were having ripple effects far beyond the disaster zone, forcing Toyota to suspend production at most of its factories across the country, and affecting other manufacturers as well. The quake damaged Honda’s motorcycle …

Strong Quake Rattles Southern Japan

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 knocked over houses in southern Japan on Thursday evening, and police said people may be trapped underneath. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the 9:26 p.m. quake, and no …

Costly Ice Wall at Fukushima Plant Approved by Japan Regulators

Japanese regulators on Wednesday approved the use of a giant refrigeration system to create an unprecedented underground frozen barrier around buildings at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant in an attempt to contain leaking radioactive water. The Nuclear Regulation Authority said …

Japan Official Says Country Needs to Implement Disaster Framework Ideas

A prominent Japanese political figure appealed to U.N. member states Tuesday to implement guidelines approved in Japan last year aimed at saving lives and minimizing the economic impact of tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural and man-made disasters. Toshihiro Nikai, chairman …

Moment of Silence Marked Japan’s 5th Anniversary of Quake, Tsunami

Japanese gathered in Tokyo and along the country’s ravaged northeast coast to observe a moment of silence at 2:46 p.m. Friday, exactly five years after a magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck offshore, triggering a devastating tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people …

More Room for Improvement in Japan Nuclear Safety

Japan has improved its nuclear safety regulation since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, but it still needs to strengthen inspections and staff competency, a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday. It was the first IAEA review …

Latest Japan Earthquake Damage More Severe Than Expected

The damage from an overnight earthquake in a mountainous area of central Japan that hosted the 1998 winter Olympics proved more extensive than initially thought. A daylight assessment Sunday found at least 50 homes destroyed in two villages, and 41 …

Suspected Tsunami Debris Continues Washing Ashore

Two-and-a-half years after an earthquake and tsunami devastated parts of Japan, suspected debris from the disaster continues to quietly wash ashore in Hawaii and along the West Coast of North America. Officials in Hawaii have confirmed seven items at tsunami …

Quake Shakes Northeastern Japan, No Tsunami Risk

A strong earthquake shook northeastern Japan on Sunday in the same region devastated by a giant tsunami and temblor 2-1/2 years ago, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 …