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🇯🇵 Japan /Disasters & Emergencies

"Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake": Meteorological Agency Names Quake

From NHK · () Japanese

Translated from Japanese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The Japan Meteorological Agency named the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on April 28 the "Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake."
  • The agency names significant disaster events, with this being the latest instance after the "Reiwa 6..." earthquake in January 2022.
  • The earthquake registered a seismic intensity of 7 in Kumamoto City and surrounding areas.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has officially named the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on the afternoon of April 28. The seismic event, which registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7 in Kumamoto City and surrounding areas, will now be referred to as the "Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake."

This naming convention is reserved for disasters causing significant damage. The agency previously named the earthquake that occurred in January 2022 the "Reiwa 6..." earthquake, indicating a pattern of officially designating major seismic events.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake caused widespread shaking across the Kyushu region, with the highest intensity felt in Kumamoto Prefecture. The naming by the meteorological agency serves to officially record and refer to the event in historical and disaster management contexts.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by NHK in Japanese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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