Japan Issues First Temporary Information on South China Sea Trench Earthquake | WPN World People News

On the afternoon of August 8, at around 4:42 PM Japan time (3:42 PM Taiwan time), a magnitude 7.1 earthquake was detected in southern Miyazaki Prefecture, with the epicenter located off the coast in the Hyuga-nada Sea. The Japan Meteorological Agency subsequently issued its first-ever "Temporary Information on South China Sea Trench Earthquake," warning of the potential for a major earthquake within the next week. The Japanese government had previously estimated in 2019 that if a magnitude 9.1 earthquake were to occur in the South China Sea Trench, the number of casualties could reach up to 231,000, which is 13 times the number from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.

In 2012, an expert panel from the Cabinet Office predicted that a massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake could occur in the South China Sea Trench, exceeding the magnitude 9.0 of the 311 earthquake. The likelihood of such an event occurring within 30 years is estimated at 70% to 80%, affecting areas including Shikoku, Kinki, and Tokai. The South China Sea Trench refers to the approximately 700 square kilometers of seabed from Suruga Bay to the waters east of Kyushu, a zone where the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet, making it a frequent site of major earthquakes. Experts believe that a magnitude 9 earthquake similar to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake could occur in the South China Sea Trench.

To prevent potential tsunamis from recent large aftershocks, swimming bans and beach closures have been implemented at coastal bathing areas across Japan starting on August 9. According to Asahi Shimbun, the Aoshima Beach in Miyazaki City and four beaches in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, have been closed for safety reasons.

The Japan Meteorological Agency noted that between 1904 and 2014, there were 1,737 earthquakes with a magnitude (Mw) of 7 or higher worldwide. Of these, six had a magnitude 8 or higher within seven days in the same region. Naoto Hirata, chairman of the expert review committee and emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo, stated that the likelihood of a major earthquake occurring now is several times higher than usual compared to before unusual phenomena were observed. Areas around the epicenter and its vicinity should remain vigilant.

In response to the situation, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has canceled his planned trip to Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, from August 9 to 12, to remain in the disaster-affected region.