national

M6 quake strikes off Tokyo; 17 injuries reported

54 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

54 Comments
Login to comment

6.2 is not a cup of tea.

15 ( +18 / -3 )

This quake was a bit different than many I've experienced here. Usually, there's a "bump" followed shortly after by the shaking. But this one did a "shudder" instead of the initial bump. And I'd like to express my thanks to the people who designed and built our mansion.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Well as a London boy here for 6 months this was my first ever quake. I was awake when I felt my bed swaying, strange I thought, was that caused by me turning over? Yeah it probably was. Then 15 minutes later I felt a real grinding underneath me and was EEEK! As I stood up putting on my pants i felt the building move underneath my feet. Scary stuff for a Londoner who is not at all used to this! The knocking sound is weird too (its like a neighbour underneath you poking their ceiling with a broom handle) It's the movement of the building that really gets me, all I could think off during the experience was - is the whole building going to come down on my head?

Well done to the Japanese though who construct their buildings extremely well.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Only an idiot fool would suggest this 6.2 magnitude is something to laugh at, English tea?? Hahaha?? Sorry, if anybody was here 3 years ago when all hell broke loose up in Fukushima and then in Tokyo we had roaling black outs, were running out of food in our supermarkets, many gasoline stations with OUT ANY GASOpLINE, yes keep on laughing! This was small compared to March 11, 2011. Anyway this time we here in the Kanto area of Japan were very lucky that this quake was centered off Izu Oshima and not directly under Tokyo! Be safe and better to be prepared with extra water, non perishable canned food etc..flash lights, portable battery operated radios etc...

9 ( +11 / -3 )

Can we make it a rule to only report on earthquakes that do cause a tsunami, death/injury or damage?

I remember the days of people complaining that tsunamis were small and weren't newsworthy. That changed on March 11.

I think we should be celebrating every sizeable earthquake that hits Japan and does not cause death/injury or damage. That way everyone can sleep better in their homes knowing that when the big one hits they have a better chance of surviving it. Celebrate the fact that a 6.2 earthquake caused no damage. No deaths. And apparently no injuries. But make sure you've got a bit of water, a gas stove and some essentials put by should you need it.

7 ( +12 / -6 )

Disillusioned quote: "Yeah, the perfect place to build 50 nuclear reactors with sub-standard safety requirements!"

The safety requirements in Japan are pretty strict. Thousands and thousands of skipped safety checks suggest that it's the inability of the power companies to obey them, or their ability to get around them that is a bigger problem.

NHK radio at 7:00 am said there have been no reports of any damage or radioactive leakage at Fukushima or Kashiwazaki Kariwa NPPs. I wonder if they would report them even if there had been...

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@Disillusioned

there was a smaller quake 15 minutes or so before the big one at 5:02. I was still awake from the first one. The big one definitely got my heart racing. I had one foot in my pants and was on my way to the door.

Yep ! I felt that one too ! (But nobody else seems to, which is why I wondered if it was my imagination !) It was pretty scary !

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Ethan Wilber:

" I was running in the park; the quake hit, I could feel the moves of the earth. Luckily I didn’t see any collapse of structures. "

You would really have to be a in monster quake to see any collapse of structures in Japan. You might want to try a country with lesser building standards for that...

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Yesterday on TV they were showing various deep sea creatures being caught in fishing nets all around Japan saying it is a sign that the big one hitting Japan is near.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Shindo 5 in one or 2 central wards, Shindo 4 &3 in others. Woke up to some shaking, but back to business as usual in Tokyo, aka sleep.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

That was quite a decent shake we got. Being on the upper floors of a building is not fun during these moments.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Felt it here in Yokohama - as Mirai Hayashi says, a rude awakening indeed !

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Woke up to the alarm looked at the info ano rolled over ...waited for it felt it then went back to sleep...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Japan is situated at the meeting place of several of the Earth’s tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

Yeah, the perfect place to build 50 nuclear reactors with sub-standard safety requirements!

there was a smaller quake 15 minutes or so before the big one at 5:02. I was still awake from the first one. The big one definitely got my heart racing. I had one foot in my pants and was on my way to the door.

4 ( +10 / -5 )

If it's any consolation to those of you who were rudely interrupted from your slumber, there's a prevailing view among some seismologists that medium-sized quakes relieve built-up pressure on faults, thereby (hopefully) postponing the inevitable Big One. But we're clearly dealing with an inexact science.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@kimuzukashiiiii

on a serious note, dont you think that if you report each and every quake to the public as "news", people become kind of desensitized to it?

People continue to pay a lot of money for mansions built on land reclaimed from Tokyo bay. I would say they are already desensitized.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I am very happy each earthquake is reported on NHK news (TV and radio). Each earthquake shake is different in the area it hits. I always turn on NHK news to get that report. For some reason, my cell phone did not give an alert this time though it was rather strong. Let's just hope it is letting off some builtup energy in the Izu area as I believe that is the area that is very likely to be the area if a big one hits. Been here 41 years and will NEVER get used to the very uncomfortable feeling when an earthquake hits. It truly can happen at any time! Be safe everyone!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This information is available freely from the Japan Meteorological Agency online.

It should be obvious, but not everyone has an internet connection or a smartphone. How are people like my mother-in-law to find out if a substantial quake like that one is a smaller local one or a huge one elsewhere if they don't report on it on TV or in the newspaper?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Rude awakening!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Low cal shake for breakfast, weight whatchers will be happy.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Repeat, be safe and thoughts and prayers are with you.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Interesting that this quake was felt along the Japan Sea coast right down as far as Hyogo and Tottori.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ali Khan:

" Geological department have a warning of a huge earth quake in the Tokyo region in the future, according to them that might happen in the morning, "

Everything you can think of will happen in "the future" if you wait long enough. That is pretty meaningless prediction. And I can can guarantee that neither the geological department nor anybody else can pin the time of a future earthquake to "the morning". That is simply ludicrious. Earthquakes happen, when the pressure buildup is strong enough; they don´t care about morning, daytime, or night.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

She is new to Japan ? Otherwise last month or last January (they publish the booklet yearly), she'd have received the updated information from her City Hall, with explanations about their disaster prep'', telling her to get her medicines and stuff in a bag and obey when given evacuation order to designed area (they usually provide a map). It's the mawarisan, helped with a number of volunteer residents that dispatches the information locally to each house. In addition, most towns now have loudspeakers.

No Cos, you've totally misunderstood. My MIL is Japanese and has lived here all her life, but like many older people, she doesn't have an internet connection, so would be unable to get her earthquake info from JMA, which someone suggested above should be the only source of info about an earthquake the size of the one we had yesterday. I'm not talking about earthquake preparedness at all, I mean info on the location and severity of an earthquake that has already happened.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I was running in the park; the quake hit, I could feel the moves of the earth. Luckily I didn’t see any collapse of structures.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Local experts here are saying it happened deep within a plate, making it a relatively safer type and unlikely to have aftershocks.

At 5 minus, it was the largest shock in Tokyo since 3/11, though, according to this morning's Japanese NHK news.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"Can we make it a rule to only report on earthquakes that do cause a tsunami, death/injury or damage?"

On the contrary, the more info you can get about earthquakes and how people experience them the better. The news about it is one thing - but for me it's just as important to read the comments here so you can find out real people's experiences. I find that's just as or more important than numbers which I can get on my iPhone anyway.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Certainly woke me up. I swear to god everything in my kitchen simultaeneously leaped two inches up in the air.

Only one casualty in our household fortunately. A saucepan (RIP).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Be safe!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

every one is safe very good news, you know that the Geological department have a warning of a huge earth quake in the Tokyo region in the future, according to them that might happen in the morning, so i always get worry when ever it starts shaking in the morning. i wish and pray for the safety of the whole nation.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Japan been through a lot the last three years, the last thing Japan want is an earth quake. Hope for the best, God blesses Japan and its people.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Good way to start our last day down in Tokyo on a family trip to Disnleyland. Woken up by the earthquake and woken up again nearly an hour later by the kids wanting breakfast. Very tired today......

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Disneyland*

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Smithinjapan I have one in my 4x4 which covers all emergencies as well as home the home one has a months supply,s in it the 4x4 one always carry 2 weeks in it as I am , always away in case of emergency not only earthquakes its for floods breakdowns accidents anything that happens.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Fortuanately it was not that strong in Tokyo. Even the center was 6.2 or 6.0, most locations in Tokyo only had 4. The buildings are mostly designed to withstand up to 6 to what I have heard, so 4 should be considered safe.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Tokyo seems quite safe at the moment. Seismologists have revised upward the chance of a very big earthquake in Tokyo and vicinity within the next 30 years from zero to 2 percent to a maximum 5 percent. (source: http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/107383.php )

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Educator: "So many people are always complaining about a lack of transparency from the Japanese government and media that it's a little surprising to see there are some people who want more of a lid kept on."

Not surprising if you know the poster. But if you have to ask, just look at his next post where he says, "on a serious note" then defends his former comment.

Anyway, stay safe, people. Glad no one was killed.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It is always important to be Ready for the next one as you never know its affects on your area so have supplies ready at all times go to safe arrears if any in open. So sad to hear this in Australia but never trust Utilities with their reports on nuclear leaks as of past they have a poor record. Wish the Japanese people a break from natures wrath.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

MyJT: "Japan been through a lot the last three years, the last thing Japan want is an earth quake."

Agreed, but it's not like it's a matter of what people have suffered when it comes to nature. The fact is simply: if you build it on an area known for its fault lines and danger, you can't go asking for mercy from nature when the inevitable comes.

Ron Barnes: "It is always important to be Ready for the next one as you never know its affects on your area so have supplies ready at all times go to safe arrears if any in open."

It's quite easy to make supplied ready, but not so easy to be where the supplies are when an unexpected quake occurs. I have a pretty simple kit at home, but am almost never at home when the quakes hit (and are fortunately never so bad that I need said kit).

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Yes, I was at a beach BBQ yesterday and I pointed out to some people that the clouds looked kinda like earthquake clouds...I've been doing this for over 35 years...and there's a certain shape and a metallic like tint as well as a shape like a disk (UFO) in a way...everyone laughs at me....this happened last year at the BBQ too! Then everyone says, "Wow, we did have an earthquake"! of course not every prediction comes true but...I do hit many! Not the March 11th one though....I did take pics of the clouds!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nature is angry with Shinzo Abe and is coming swiftly to teach him and his cahoots a lesson they will never forget much as they try to obliterate the war crimes against humanity committed by Japan in Nanjing and everywhere else Japan invaded during WWII. Another reminder to the IOC of their mistake with selecting Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic Games which will never take place. Tokyo would be in rumbles even before that time.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wish you all the best.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have read all the post we can prepare all we want but when the big one comes all you can do is remain calm and keep a level head and try to find a way out of what ever situation you are in, and get in your survival mode. What good is a flash light, bottled water, and canned goods when you are at work and a way from home. If you are at the office lets hope that someone in your office is selected as a disaster preparedness coordinator The best thing to do remain calm and try to have a way out because there will be a lot of people running in different directions being reactive and not proactive.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Cos, you are entirely missing my point. My mother-in-law is from MIyagi prefecture and has lived through a number of large earthquakes in her 70 years, probably more than you have. All I was saying above is that JMA's internet page can't be the sole source of information after an earthquake as was suggested by someone above because not everyone has an internet connection, that is all!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am with Apsara TV and Radio still play an important role. Reason why your survival kit should include a radio.

After 3/11 I was of the peoples whose IP-phone worked while the Net and keitai services were unstable.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I believe the epicenter of this quake is not far from the epicenter of arguably the most destructive quake in Japanese history: the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, which killed over 140,000 from the earthquake and subsequent fires.

By the way, a major disaster is where amateur radio operators become vitally important. Since ham radio rigs can be set up to operate off battery packs, they may end up being the only forms of communication for days or weeks after a major disaster when land lines and cellphone systems are rendered unusable from the natural disaster.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My preyers and love go to Japan May God be with its good people!!!

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

if they don't report on it on TV or in the newspaper?

When it's on TV and newspapers, it's too late.

How are people like my mother-in-law to find out if

She is new to Japan ? Otherwise last month or last January (they publish the booklet yearly), she'd have received the updated information from her City Hall, with explanations about their disaster prep'', telling her to get her medicines and stuff in a bag and obey when given evacuation order to designed area (they usually provide a map). It's the mawarisan, helped with a number of volunteer residents that dispatches the information locally to each house. In addition, most towns now have loudspeakers.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

This one was the strongest in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward, right under the Emperor.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I'm not talking about earthquake preparedness at all

OK, but priority is to give warning in time to persons in danger. And TV/radio is no longer the most efficient (before Kobe, they thought it was enough, then they've changed the alert process). Maybe in the future, they'll suggest everybody get some kind of smart phone with GPS signal, for better change of instant warning and rescue.

would be unable to get her earthquake info from JMA,

It's not the sole source, but the only complete and real time one. Your MIL doesn't need so much information. She can surely find articles with summaries over a period of times. And when she is particularly interested in a quake she has felt, even if she has not internet, she can ask people that do.

which someone suggested above should be the only source of info about an earthquake the size of the one we had yesterday.

It was suggested that didn't need to be in national news. It's true that if there was a quake that collapsed 3 barns in Hokkaido that can be in the local paper and local TV only. And that's the case, no ? But well, if the barns happen to be in Tokyo or Fukushima, no matter what the OP thinks, there will be buzz about it, so that has to be reported by NHK, just after Mr Abe's visit to the Louvre museum (and we're glad to hear that neither of these events caused big damages).

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"we here in the Kanto area of Japan were very lucky that this quake was centered off Izu Oshima and not directly under Tokyo!"

Man near the imperial palace that gheeshing/quake felt just like it was the beginning of the GREAT BIG ONE last time: old timers were holding there hearts " mens hearts will fail them when they see what's comming upon the earth" Police car lights were flickering their red lights. People outside were hunkering down. Later JP military helicopters made some patrols IT WAS A SCARY REMINDER....I hope to bail up before the Tokyo big.....God Willing.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

on a serious note, dont you think that if you report each and every quake to the public as "news", people become kind of desensitized to it?

This information is available freely from the Japan Meteorological Agency online.

-9 ( +2 / -10 )

Can we make it a rule to only report on earthquakes that do cause a tsunami, death/injury or damage?

"Earthquake in Japan" news is like a British newspaper publishing "English like tea." Or in China "Fried rice still popular." No S!%t!

-35 ( +3 / -37 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites