Over 900 Earthquakes in Two Weeks in Japan: Residents Endure Sleepless Nights

Over 900 earthquakes have been recorded in Japan’s southern Tokara Islands within two weeks. This geological activity has caused serious concern among the islands’ small population. Officials recently recorded a magnitude 5.5 quake and urged residents to be prepared for evacuation.

About 700 people live on seven of the 12 islands in the Tokara archipelago. Among them are residents of small villages on Akusekijima Island. The area lacks hospitals; the nearest medical center is in Kagoshima City, which requires at least a six-hour ferry ride.

“Going to sleep has become very frightening; it always feels like an earthquake is about to begin,” said a local resident in an interview with regional MBC television.

Local leaders and residents say they heard a “strange rumbling sound” coming from the sea before the quakes began. This has particularly frightened islanders at night.

“Before the ground shakes, there is a sharp blow from below, then the house starts to tremble — it’s very unsettling,” said Isamu Sakamoto, head of the residents’ assembly on Akusekijima Island.

Guesthouses on the island have temporarily stopped accepting tourists. The official website of Toshima Village stated that these facilities may be needed as shelters for local residents.

The Toshima government issued an official announcement asking journalists not to overwhelm residents with interviews and inquiries: “Please refrain from excessive contact and interviews.”

The seismic activity in the Tokara Islands has heightened fears of a potential large-scale earthquake across Japan. These fears have also been fueled by a comic by famous Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, published in 1999 and updated in 2021, which predicted a “great earthquake” on July 5, 2025.

As a result, some tourists have canceled their trips, and discussions on safety measures have intensified nationwide.

This week, the Japanese government ordered the construction of dams and evacuation buildings to ensure public safety. However, officials warn this may not be enough and remind citizens of the possibility of a “century earthquake.”

Japan experiences about 1,500 earthquakes annually on average. The recent seismic activity in the Tokara Islands goes beyond this norm and poses serious psychological and social problems for island residents. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!