M5.9 Earthquake Hits Japan's Kagoshima, Amami Region; No Major Damage Reported

(CNA, by Tai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 20th) A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture's Amami region this morning, with a maximum seismic intensity of 5-strong. Fortunately, no tsunami was triggered, and no major casualties or damage have been reported so far. The Japanese government and Kagoshima Prefecture have set up emergency response units to continue assessing the situation and are urging the public to be cautious of potential subsequent earthquakes of similar intensity. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake occurred at approximately 11:46 AM local time. The epicenter was located off the coast of the main island of Okinawa, with a source depth of about 50 kilometers. A maximum seismic intensity of 5-strong was observed in Yoron Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, while China Town observed an intensity of 5-weak. Additionally, an intensity of 4 was observed in Amagi Town and Wadomari Town, with other areas in Kagoshima and Okinawa Prefectures experiencing intensities ranging from 1 to 3. Yoron Town, which recorded the 5-strong intensity, is on Yoron Island, the southernmost island of Kagoshima Prefecture, with a population of about 4,882 as of last month. NHK reported that the Earthquake Research Committee and the Meteorological Agency noted that several earthquakes of magnitude 5 or higher have occurred near Okinoerabu Island in Kagoshima in the past. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake in July 2008 resulted in an intensity of 5-weak in Yoron Town, causing partial wall damage to a hotel. In September 2016, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake also resulted in an intensity of 5-weak in China Town. The last time an intensity of 5-strong was observed in Kagoshima Prefecture was in July of last year from a magnitude 5.5 earthquake near the Tokara Islands. At that time, Akusekijima in Toshima Village, Kagoshima Prefecture, observed an intensity of 5-strong. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also posted on the social media platform X earlier, stating that while no casualties or housing damage have been reported yet, the government has immediately set up a liaison office at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center to fully grasp the damage situation and respond, urging residents in the strongly-shaken areas to remain vigilant for subsequent seismic activity.