On January 1 2024 at around 4:10pm (local time), the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture was hit by a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake, resulting in extensive damage to the prefecture, and prompting Tsunami warnings for parts of the country.
This was the first major earthquake of 2024 to hit Japan, a mere 16 hours into the new year.
The City of Wajima, and Suzu cities were among the worst hit in the region. Wajima has suffered extensive building damage due to the earthquake, and fire which subsequently broke out in the city center.
The facts
- The 7.5 Magnitude earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula at around 4:10pm local time , lasting 40 seconds
- Aftershocks continue to hit the region, resulting in further damage.
- There has been over a dozen aftershocks recorded at or above a magnitude 5.0
- Over 60 fatalities have been recorded, and numbers continue to increase.
- A 1m Tsunami was observed along the sea of Japan, the first major tsunami since the 2011 earthquake.
- Road access in an out of the affected area may be limited.
- Disaster recovery teams have been deployed from all over the country to provide aide and get essential services back online.
- Numerous fires have broken out, but have been contained by the fire service.
- A Japanese Coast Gaurd plane due to deliver emergency aid collided with a Japan Airlines passenger plane on the runway of Haneda International Airport. Major cancellations and delays occurred as a result. The airport is now open.
- Train lines outside of the Noto Peninsula resumed service on 2 January 2024. Train lines on the Noto Peninsula are still out of service.
For your own safety, we advise that tourists avoid this area while the recovery effort carries on.
Aftershocks and landslides are still occurring several days after the initial earthquake.
Nearby cities of Niigata, Kanazawa, and Toyama also experienced the strong earthquake, but no widespread has been caused, and it is mostly business as usual for these areas.