Earthquake Japan 2025 Summary: Most Phenomenal Earthquakes in Japan

On average, approximately 1,500 earthquakes shake Japan each year. However, in 2025, over 2,000 tremors occurred in this country. The earthquake Japan 2025 report recorded 2,000 earthquakes in a month in one of Japan’s archipelagos. Authorities also recorded several powerful earthquakes that year.

Earthquakes in Japan are a daily occurrence. Therefore, Japanese people are accustomed to this geological hazard. Moreover, the government has an effective mitigation system to reduce earthquake risks. Still, powerful or too frequent earthquakes can cause them to be worried.

Earthquake Japan 2025 Highlight

In 2025, Japan experienced high geological activity. This activity was signified by several powerful earthquakes. These tremors also triggered a series of aftershocks. Below is a list of major earthquakes in this country.

1. Aomori Earthquake (December 2025)

The biggest earthquake in Japan in 2025 occurred off the Aomori coast. The exact location of this hazard was in the Pacific Ocean, about 80 km from the Aomori coast. This earthquake shook the country at a 7.6-magnitude or a maximum intensity of upper 6 JMA on December 8.

This earthquake affected many regions in Aomori, Hokkaido, and Iwate. Moreover, this geological hazard triggered a tsunami of 20 to 70 cm along the Pacific coasts of those three prefectures. 

The Aomori earthquake injured 47 people. It also caused 3 houses to collapse and damage more than 1,300 structures. Moreover, the earthquake disrupted many train journeys and caused power outages.

More than  30 aftershocks shook the region after the Aomori earthquake. The biggest one has a magnitude of 6.7. It occurred on  December 12 and triggered a 20 cm tsunami.

2. Sanriku Earthquake (November 2025)

About a month before the Aomori earthquake, a powerful earthquake shook offshore Sanriku. This tremor has a magnitude of 6.9. Moreover, its epicenter was only 16 km deep. 

Thus, it triggered a tsunami warning for those on the eastern coast of Japan. Consequently, the authority ordered 1.9 million people to evacuate. According to the report, a small tsunami with wave peaks of 10 to 20 cm was observed in ports at Miyako, Kuji, and other regions. 

This earthquake was also followed by more than 30 aftershocks. Some of them hit offshore Sanriku at 6.4 and 5.9 magnitudes. Thankfully, the Sanriku earthquake and its aftershocks did not cause any casualties, fatalities, or damage.

3. Yamada Earthquake (November 2025)

Another major earthquake Japan 2025 occurred in November. A day after the Sanriku earthquake, a 5.8-magnitude tremor hit off the Yamada coast. The epicenter of this quake was approximately 11 km under the ocean.

No damages or casualties were reported after  this earthquake. Moreover, it did not trigger a tsunami. However, this geological disaster alarmed the people and authorities because it happened within hours after a powerful earthquake.

4. Tokara Islands Earthquake Swarm (June to July 2025)

From June 21 to mid-July 2025, the Tokara Islands experienced a massive earthquake swarm. A swarm is a series of many earthquakes that occur in one spot without a main tremor. These earthquakes typically range from weak to moderate intensity. 

The authorities recorded over 2,000 earthquakes during the Tokara Swarm. Their intensity ranged from 1 to lower 6 JMA. The first tremor hit Tokara at 5.5 magnitudes and at a depth of 20 km. Moreover, this quake had an intensity of under  6 JMA. 

Due to this seismic phenomenon, the authority asked Tokara residents to be aware of earthquakes with upper 6 JMA. The authority also provided transportation and shelters for residents of Akuseki Island who wished to evacuate.

The Tokara Earthquake Swarm in December 2025 was not the first swarm to hit this archipelago. In 2023, a swarm of 346 earthquakes hit the Tokara Islands. Moreover, another series of earthquakes happened in 2021. The 2021 earthquake swarm recorded 308 tremors.

The recurrence of swarms in the Tokara Islands did not make the residents feel accustomed to these tremors. They stay alert at all times. Many of them even suffered from sleepless nights due to the 2025 swarm. Fortunately, it did not cause any damage or casualties.

5. Southern Japan Earthquake (January 2025)

The first Japan earthquake 2025 alert was broadcasted on January 13. At about 9.00 pm that day, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit southern Japan. The epicenter of this tremor was off the coast of Miyazaki at a depth of 36 km.

People in Miyazaki and neighboring regions felt a tremor with an intensity of under 5 JMA. Therefore, no fatalities or damages were reported after the quake.

Despite its lower intensity, this earthquake caused the authorities to issue a tsunami warning. The authority predicted the maximum tsunami height was 1 m. However, authorities observed that the tsunami height was only 20 cm in Miyazaki. 

The most powerful earthquake Japan 2025 was the Aomori Earthquake. The tremor caused a tsunami and some damage. However, Japan’s excellent warning system can minimize casualties in this hazard. Other countries can adopt a similar system if they equip their warning system with wireless alert broadcasters from smsbroadcaster.com.