Japan: Nationwide disruptions likely through early January following magnitude-7.5 earthquake near Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture /update 5

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. 3, authorities have confirmed at least 64 fatalities in Ishikawa Prefecture, including 31 in Wajima City and 22 in Suzu City, with 22 others seriously injured. Dozens of others were injured in Toyama and Niigata prefectures. Crews have evacuated more than 32,000 people in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. At least 182 houses in the prefecture have been completely or partially destroyed, while authorities estimate that 4,000-5,000 houses are inhabitable. 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. Around 500 people were isolated at Noto Airport (NTQ) in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, as nearby roads were cut off; some people have since returned home. The airport sustained some damage and will remain closed until 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. Minor damage was reported in Toyama, Niigata, and Fukui prefectures.

As of the afternoon of Jan. 3, 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 and the Noetsu Expressway between Takaoka Interchange in Toyama Prefecture and Nanao Oodomari Interchange in Ishikawa Prefecture are closed. Parts of National Route 359 and National Route 471 in Oyabe City 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 late Jan. 2-4. Authorities have warned of the risk of landslides and have urged residents to be vigilant.

Power outages are affecting approximately 33,800 homes in Ishikawa Prefecture, mainly in the Noto region. All power in Niigata Prefecture was restored the evening of Jan. 2. Telecommunications operators Softbank and KDDI 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. Water outages have affected 16 cities and towns in Ishikawa Prefecture, including the entire Noto area; at least 95,000 homes in the prefecture are without water.

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.