Strong Quake Strikes Akuseki-jima, Kagoshima; Island Residents Safe, Evacuation Considered Amid Ongoing Seismic Activity

At approximately 4:13 PM on July 3, 2025, a powerful earthquake with a seismic intensity of lower 6 (shindo 6-lower) struck Akuseki-jima, Toshima Village, Kagoshima Prefecture. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), there is no concern of a tsunami from this earthquake.

According to the Toshima Village Office, all residents of Akuseki-jima have been confirmed safe, and no significant casualties have been reported. Residents temporarily evacuated to places like the grounds of Akuseki-jima Gakuen. The government has established an emergency response headquarters at the Prime Minister's Office and convened the Minister of State for Disaster Management to assess the damage.

The waters near the Tokara Islands, including Akuseki-jima, have long experienced frequent earthquakes. This seismic intensity of lower 6 is the strongest tremor ever observed in the region. Earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 1 or higher have reached 1,050 occurrences to date.

Professor Emeritus Kasahara of the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute pointed out the "risk of submarine eruption" in connection with this earthquake, raising concerns about its link to volcanic activity. Experts analyze that this earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.5 (M5.1 according to Hi-net), is a moderate-scale quake and is less likely to produce long-period ground motion, thus leading to relatively less damage to buildings. However, they emphasize the need for continued vigilance.

The JMA advises to "be aware of earthquakes with a seismic intensity of lower 6 for the time being, and anticipate stronger tremors as well." The mayor of Toshima Village announced that discussions have begun regarding the evacuation of residents off the island for their future safety. Relevant organizations will continue to monitor seismic activity and implement measures to ensure the safety of residents.

The Context

Akuseki-jima is one of the islands within the Tokara Islands, a volcanic archipelago stretching southwest from Kyushu, Japan, administered by Toshima Village. This region is renowned for its frequent seismic activity, often experiencing seismic swarms (clusters of earthquakes) associated with underground volcanic or tectonic movements. The "shindo" scale, used in Japan, measures the intensity of ground motion at a specific location, indicating how much an area shakes. A "shindo 6-lower" is categorized as a very strong tremor where it is difficult to remain standing, and unsecured heavy furniture may move or fall. While the magnitude (M5.5/M5.1) indicates the energy released by the earthquake, the high shindo value reflects the proximity of the epicenter to Akuseki-jima, leading to intense shaking on the island. The mention of 1,050 earthquakes with shindo 1 or higher highlights the persistent seismic unrest in the Tokara region, making this particular lower 6 tremor a significant event due to its unprecedented strength for the area.

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