Japan Lifts Megaquake Advisory After No Issues Found

TOKYO — Japan has officially lifted its advisory regarding heightened risks of a major earthquake, just one week after issuing its first-ever megaquake alert. The decision comes after a strong tremor near the Nankai Trough seabed zone, which prompted the government to caution citizens about a potential megaquake of magnitude 9. State Minister for Disaster Management, Yoshifumi Matsumura, announced that no unusual seismic activity has been detected in the past week, allowing residents to resume normal activities. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had warned on August 8 of a "relatively higher chance" of a significant earthquake following a magnitude-7.1 quake in southwestern Japan. Although the advisory was not a definitive prediction, it urged residents in western and central regions to review their evacuation plans in preparation for possible severe earthquakes and tsunamis. In response to the situation, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a diplomatic trip to Central Asia to focus on disaster management efforts. On August 9, a separate magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck near Tokyo, but it was not linked to the Nankai Trough, resulting in minimal damage and only three reported injuries. The Central Japan Railway has also resumed normal train operations after a week of reduced speeds due to the earlier advisory, although service disruptions were caused by the approaching Typhoon Ampil. Japan remains vigilant, with predictions indicating a 70% to 80% chance of a Nankai Trough megaquake within the next 30 years. The government has outlined a worst-case scenario that could result in significant loss of life and extensive economic damage, underscoring the nation’s ongoing challenges with seismic activity.