Japan: Nationwide disruptions likely over the coming days following magnitude-7.5 earthquake near Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Jan. 1 /update 6

Significant travel and business disruptions are likely over the coming days following a magnitude-7.5 earthquake that occurred on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture the afternoon of Jan. 1. As of the afternoon of Jan. 4, authorities have confirmed at least 78 fatalities in Ishikawa Prefecture, including 44 in Wajima City and 23 in Suzu City, with 22 others seriously injured. Dozens of others were injured in Toyama, Fukui, and Niigata prefectures. One person remains missing near the Ukai Fishing Port west of Iida Bay in Suzu City following the tsunami.

At least 250 houses in Ishikawa Prefecture have been completely or partially destroyed, while authorities estimate that 4,000-5,000 houses are inhabitable. At least 48 houses in Toyama Prefecture and 420 houses in Niigata Prefecture have also been damaged. Roadways, public transportation infrastructure, and communications and utilities assets have sustained damages. Authorities have advised residents of the potential for prolonged power outages and other utility disruptions. Noto Airport (NTQ) in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is scheduled to remain closed through at least Jan. 4. The earthquake damaged part of Shiga Nuclear Power Plant; the plant is not operational, and there is no risk of an accident. Power plants in Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture, Imizu City in Toyama Prefecture, and Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture have also suspended operations. Confirmation of full damage reports may take several days due to disruptions to the transportation network.

All Shinkansen lines are operating normally. Some local trains in Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures remain suspended. In Ishikawa Prefecture, part of the Noto Satoyama Kaido, National Route 249, and the Noetsu Expressway between Takaoka Interchange in Toyama Prefecture and Nanao Oodomari Interchange in Ishikawa Prefecture are closed. National Route 8 in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, is also closed. Numerous national and prefectural roads in Ishikawa Prefecture are also closed, with the worst impacted areas in and near Wajima, Nanao, and Hakui cities.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) canceled its initial quake-related tsunami warnings and advisories early Jan. 2. A 1.2-meter (3.9-foot) tsunami wave struck Ishikawa Prefecture's city of Wajima Jan. 1 following the quake, sparking a fire that destroyed at least 200 buildings; emergency crews extinguished the fire early Jan. 2. Another fire in Shiromaru, Noto Town, damaged 20 houses. Rainfall is forecast over Ishikawa Prefecture through Jan. 4. Authorities have warned of the risk of landslides and have urged residents to be vigilant.

Power outages are affecting more than 30,000 homes in Ishikawa Prefecture, mainly in the Noto region. All power in Niigata Prefecture was restored the evening of Jan. 2. Water outages are ongoing in seven cities and seven towns in Ishikawa Prefecture, including the entire Noto area; tens of thousands of people are without water. Around 13,600 homes in Toyama Prefecture and almost 700 homes in Niigata Prefecture are also without water. Telecommunications operators reported phone and internet service disruptions in Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures; communication disruptions are also likely in Toyama Prefecture. Further utility outages are likely, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

The temblor struck at approximately 16:10 Jan. 1, with its epicenter about 42 km (26 miles) northeast of Anamizu. The quake produced violent to extreme shaking near the epicenter, with strong-to-very strong tremors across west-central Honshu and weak-to-moderate shaking across the rest of the island. Dozens of magnitude-5.0 and above aftershocks followed the initial earthquake. It could take several days until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments.