Japan: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake strikes off the coast of central Honshu at around 1306 Dec. 6

Event

A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea, south of central Honshu, Japan, at around 1306 JST Dec. 6. The epicenter was about 247 km (153 miles) south-southeast of Chiba. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 58 km (36 miles), and weak-to-light shaking may have occurred in parts of central Honshu, including Tokyo. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.