Massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake strikes central Japan, tsunami warnings issued

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–A massive magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck Ishikawa prefecture in central Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation advisories.

The major earthquake hit the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture around 16:10 local time on 1 January, with 21 quakes recorded above 4.0 magnitude according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

There have been no immediate reports of casualties following the quake.

Source: Malaysia Meteorological Department

The JMA issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa following the quake.

The agency also issued a tsunami warning for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures, all along the Japan Sea coast.

Japan’s Toray Industries operates several plants in Ishikawa, including production capacities for polyamide fibres, polyester fibres and polyester polymer, according to the ICIS Supply & Demand Database.

National broadcaster NHK reported that a tsunami of more than 1.2 meters struck Wajima city, Ishikawa, at 16:21 local time.

“Tsunami have been reaching the Japan Sea coast. Tsunami will repeatedly hit the coast and may become higher,” NHK said in a report.

“People in those areas must evacuate immediately.”

Around 33,500 households are without power after the quake, according to local reports.

“No abnormalities” have been reported at nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan, including active units at the Kansai Electric Power Ohi and Takahama plants in the Fukui prefecture, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said.