Japan is facing a wave of earthquakes, especially in the waters southwest of its main island. The government has warned people to stay alert, as more strong quakes could happen. However, officials are also asking the public not to believe any fake predictions about a major disaster.
Over 1,000 Earthquakes Reported
In the past two weeks, more than 1,000 small earthquakes have shaken the Tokara Islands in the Kagoshima prefecture of southern Japan. Some were strong enough to make it hard for people to stand.
Between June 21 and June 27, there were 474 quakes, with the strongest reaching a magnitude of 5.1. On Thursday, a 5.5-magnitude quake hit off the coast of Kyushu, followed by a 5.4-magnitude quake on Saturday. Thankfully, no major damage has been reported, but some residents were evacuated from remote islands as a safety step.
Rumors from a Comic Book Spark Fear
Many people are worried because of a comic book called “The Future I Saw,” published in 1999. It predicted a big disaster in Japan in July, and this has led to fear and rumors spreading online.
The artist, Ryo Tatsuki, said she is not a prophet, and her book was not meant to be a prediction of the future. Still, the comic has caused panic among some people, and even affected tourism.
Tourism Impact
Due to the rumors, the number of tourists from Hong Kong dropped by 11% in May compared to the same month last year. This comes despite Japan having a record number of tourists earlier in April with 3.9 million visitors.
Also See: Why Japan Won’t Stop Shaking: Ring of Fire, Manga Predictions, and What It All Means…
Experts Urge People to Trust Science
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reminded everyone that with today’s science, it’s not possible to predict exactly when or where an earthquake will hit.
JMA official Ayataka Ebita said, “We ask people to rely on scientific information, not rumors.”
Japan’s Earthquake Risk
Japan is located in one of the world’s most earthquake-prone areas, and it experiences around 20% of all strong earthquakes (magnitude 6 or more) globally. Earthquakes are common, and the country is well-prepared with safety systems and alerts.
Japan remains on alert, but officials are closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to keep people safe.
