Recent earthquakes in Japan
Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates — the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American — making it one of the most seismically active countries on Earth. Most large events strike offshore along the Japan Trench and Nankai Trough, where oceanic plates subduct beneath the archipelago at roughly 8 cm per year. The 2011 M9.1 Tōhoku earthquake ruptured the Japan Trench boundary and generated a major tsunami. In the past 24 hours, Japan has recorded 7 earthquakes, the largest an M6.8 (2026 Uto, Japan Earthquake ).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.8 | Jul 28, 14:01 UTC | 9 km | 10 km WNW of Honmachi, Japan |
| M4.7 | Jul 28, 12:26 UTC | 10 km | 8 km SSW of Mifune, Japan |
| M4.4 | Jul 28, 10:09 UTC | 10 km | 10 km SE of Honmachi, Japan |
| M4.4 | Jul 28, 10:03 UTC | 10 km | 10 km ESE of Uki, Japan |
| M4.9 | Jul 28, 08:18 UTC | 10 km | 14 km NNE of Tsunagi, Japan |
| M5.6 | Jul 28, 08:08 UTC | 10 km | 16 km NE of Tsunagi, Japan |
| M6.8 | Jul 28, 07:27 UTC | 10 km | 2026 Uto, Japan Earthquake |
| M4.1 | Jul 27, 23:20 UTC | 462 km | Bonin Islands, Japan region |
| M4.5 | Jul 27, 19:03 UTC | 427 km | Bonin Islands, Japan region |
| M4.2 | Jul 27, 18:40 UTC | 48 km | 113 km S of Honchō, Japan |
| M4.4 | Jul 26, 05:58 UTC | 446 km | 260 km N of Ama, Japan |
| M4.4 | Jul 24, 23:18 UTC | 73 km | 182 km SSE of Tateyama, Japan |
| M4.5 | Jul 24, 18:43 UTC | 35 km | Izu Islands, Japan region |
| M4.0 | Jul 23, 13:18 UTC | 390 km | 216 km SE of Kushimoto, Japan |
| M5.1 | Jul 23, 09:22 UTC | 10 km | 85 km SE of Tatsugō, Japan |
| M4.4 | Jul 22, 11:11 UTC | 48 km | 58 km ESE of Tomioka, Japan |
Notable recent activity
A strong M6.8 earthquake struck 2026 Uto, Japan Earthquake at 07:27 UTC on Jul 28 at a depth of 10 km.
A moderate M5.6 earthquake struck 16 km NE of Tsunagi, Japan at 08:08 UTC on Jul 28 at a depth of 10 km.
A moderate M5.1 earthquake struck 85 km SE of Tatsugō, Japan at 09:22 UTC on Jul 23 at a depth of 10 km.
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes does Japan get?
Japan records over 1,000 felt earthquakes a year and thousands more too small to notice — roughly a fifth of the world's magnitude 6 and larger events occur in or around the country. Most are small offshore adjustments along the subduction zones.
Why does Japan have so many earthquakes?
Japan lies where four tectonic plates converge. The Pacific and Philippine Sea plates subduct beneath the Eurasian and North American plates, storing and releasing strain along the Japan Trench, Nankai Trough, and a dense network of inland faults.
What was the biggest earthquake in Japan?
The magnitude 9.1 Tōhoku earthquake of March 11, 2011 is the largest instrumentally recorded in Japan. It ruptured the Japan Trench off the northeast coast and produced a tsunami that reached over 10 metres in places.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.