Japan: Five injured after 5.6-magnitude earthquake hits Honshu, April 9

Event

A shallow 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit 9 km (5.6 mi) north-north-east of Oda city, Honshu (west) on the morning of Monday, April 9. Several strong tremors have followed the initial quake. According to local reporting, five people have been injured, while there have been reports of infrastructural damage to buildings and roads. Some hundred households have lost water supply in Oda.

Authorities have warned of strong after shocks over the coming days.

Context

Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent earthquakes every year. Rigid building codes and strict enforcement mean even strong tremors often do little damage. However, a massive undersea quake in March 2011 near Fukushima sent a tsunami barreling into Japan's northeastern coast, leaving more than 18,000 people dead or missing and sending three reactors into meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant. In April 2016, two strong earthquakes followed by more than 1700 aftershocks hit the southern prefecture of Kumamoto, leaving at least 50 dead and causing widespread damage.

Advice

Individuals in affected regions are advised to be prepared for possible aftershocks.

Generally speaking, after a powerful earthquake, check for damages and take note of your surroundings. If indoors, shut off water, gas, and electricity lines and evacuate the building.