6.1 magnitude earthquake hits Japan
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, on May 31, 2025, at 5:37 p.m. local time, according to an alert issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The epicenter was located southeast of Kushiro at latitude 42.3°N and longitude 144.5°E, with a depth of 20 kilometers.
The tremors were recorded at seismic intensity scale 4 out of a maximum of 7 in areas such as Kushiro City, Kushiro Town, and Shibecha Town. Other locations, including Obihiro City, Nemuro City, and Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture on Honshu, experienced an intensity scale of 3.
Reports from the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) indicate that the earthquake caused strong shaking across several regions, but no injuries or property damage have been reported so far. The event has heightened concerns about seismic activity in Japan, where experts have previously warned of the potential for a major earthquake along the Nankai Trough, which could result in catastrophic impacts.
Comment: Just over an hour later a shallow aftershock of mag. 6.0 was registered in the same area according to Earthquake Track.