Industry News
On New Year’s Day, a level 7.5 earthquake as measured by the United States Geological Survey (7.6 by Japan’s Meteorological Agency) struck off the west coast of Japan near the Ishikawa prefecture. Rescue operations are still underway but thus far the death of 30 people has been confirmed. Numbers are expected to rise as many people are still trapped under collapsed buildings.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has lifted all tsunami warnings along the west coast of Japan but officials warn that strong aftershocks may keep occurring over the next two to three days and for up to a week. Several cities in Ishikawa observed tsunami waves. Wajima reported waves over 1.2 meters (4 feet) and Kanazawa of 0.9 meters (3 feet) but the tsunami waves were not as high as initially feared. The government had issued a rare major tsunami advisory, warning that waves of up to 5 meters (16 feet) could strike, but on Tuesday, January 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. all warnings had been lifted.
The earthquake also impacted Japan’s transport network and left passengers stranded. Some trains and flights were temporarily halted in the direct aftermath of the earthquake, leaving some travelers stranded. Four trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line that were between Toyama and Kanazawa stations were left at a standstill for 11 hours with a total of 1,400 passengers aboard. Around 500 people were stranded at Noto’s damaged airport, with access roads blocked and the runway riddled with cracks. A total of 24 domestic flights were canceled on Monday, All Nippon Airways said it had canceled 15 flights while Japan Airlines confirmed nine canceled flights.
The epicenter of the earthquake was about 100km from ski resorts like Hakuba in the Nagano prefecture. The earthquake and aftershocks could be felt there but no damage or injuries have been reported from Hakuba. All ski facilities as well as the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains and busses from Tokyo to Nagano are operating again as scheduled.
East Japan Railway says services between Toyama and Nagano resumed at around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2023. Joetsu Shinkansen has resumed operations from 1:47 p.m. between Echigoyuzawa and Niigata.
Ski areas on the island of Hokkaido are too far from the epicenter to be affected. All flights between Tokyo and Chitose Airport are operating as scheduled, however, it is recommended to always check with the airline for up-to-date information.
If you are currently in Japan make sure you:
- Know the emergency evacuation plans in your prefecture/region.
- Observe any evacuation orders.
- Familiarize yourself with evacuation plans in your accommodation.
- Check the Japan Meteorological Agency for earthquake and tsunami information.
- Keep in contact with family and friends (some mobile phone carriers may be experiencing disruptions in the region hit by the earthquakes)
