More than 900 earthquakes have rattled a small island chain in southern Japan over the past fortnight, leaving its 700 inhabitants on edge and struggling to find restful sleep. Since June 21, seismic disturbances around the Tokara islands have intensified, culminating in a magnitude 5.5 quake earlier this week. Fortunately, no significant damage nor tsunami warnings have been issued, yet local authorities are urging residents to remain prepared for possible evacuations.
"It's terrifying trying to sleep; it feels as if the ground is never still," a local resident shared with regional broadcaster MBC, reflecting the anxiety that has permeated the islands. Historically, the Tokara region has witnessed periods of seismic activity, but the sheer number of recent tremors is unprecedented.
As one of the world's most seismically active regions due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan alone experiences around 1,500 earthquakes every year. The Tokara islands house seven inhabited islands among a total of twelve and lack adequate medical facilities, with the nearest hospital being over six hours away by ferry to Kagoshima.
The psychological toll on residents is evident. "You begin to feel the ground is shaking even when it isn't," confessed Isamu Sakamoto, the head of the residents' association at Akusekijima Island, describing the unsettling sensations that accompany the quakes. Reports reveal that living in Toshima village has become increasingly exhausting, compelling local officials to request media restraint in interviewing residents overwhelmed by the situation.
In light of the tremors, several guesthouses have ceased operations for tourists, designating them as potential shelters for locals instead. This string of earthquakes coincides with widespread fears of an impending major earthquake fueled by a provocative 1999 manga comic that suggested a significant quake might occur on July 5. Responses to these claims have resulted in notable cancellations of travel bookings to the region.
While most tremors in Japan tend to be mild, the specter of a catastrophic earthquake looms large in the public consciousness, particularly in light of the 2011 disaster that resulted in over 18,000 fatalities. Alarmed by the potential for a devastating megaquake—whose worst-case forecasts predict the loss of more than 300,000 lives—government officials are now advocating for enhanced disaster preparedness measures.
