Residents of Japan remote Tokara island chain are on edge after experiencing over 900 earthquakes since late June, prompting widespread anxiety, sleep loss, and tourism disruption.
Persistent Seismic Activity Disrupts Life in Remote Island Chain
Since 21 June, seismic activity around the Tokara Islands in southern Japan has been classified as “very active,” according to local authorities. The situation escalated further when a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck the area on Wednesday.
Although there have been no reported injuries or tsunami warnings, authorities have advised locals to remain ready for evacuation if needed.
“It’s very scary to even fall asleep. It feels like it’s always shaking,” a resident told local broadcaster MBC.
Living in Constant Fear: First-Hand Accounts from Locals
The Tokara Islands consist of 12 islands, with about 700 residents spread across seven inhabited isles. Some areas lack basic infrastructure such as hospitals, forcing residents to travel at least six hours by ferry to reach Kagoshima, the prefectural capital.
Residents report eerie signs of approaching quakes, including oceanic rumbling at night.
“You can hear a strange roar from the ocean before the quakes hit. It’s eerie,” said Chizuko Arikawa, a cattle farmer from Akusekijima.
“After so many quakes, it now feels like the ground is shaking even when it’s not,” added Isamu Sakamoto, head of the local residents’ association.
Officials in Toshima Village have urged media outlets to stop bombarding locals with interview requests, citing fatigue and mental strain.
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Earthquake Fears Disrupt Tourism and Trigger National Anxiety
The seismic spike has already impacted local tourism, with guesthouses suspending bookings to potentially accommodate evacuees. These events are also reigniting national fears of a ‘megaquake’, a once-in-a-century disaster long anticipated in Japan.
Adding fuel to public anxiety is a viral manga prediction. A 1999 comic by artist Ryo Tatsuki, reissued in 2021, claims a catastrophic earthquake will strike on 5 July — a prophecy that has reportedly led to trip cancellations across parts of Japan.
Japan’s History with Earthquakes Heightens Public Concern
Japan sits atop the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the most seismically active countries in the world, with over 1,500 earthquakes annually. While most are minor, some have proven devastating.
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami killed more than 18,000 people, and officials have long feared a “Big One” could eventually strike the Nankai Trough region. Government models predict a worst-case scenario could leave over 300,000 dead.
In response, authorities this week announced measures including the construction of embankments, elevated evacuation sites, and new infrastructure — while warning that more preparations are urgently needed.
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