Dozens Evacuated from Japanese Islands After 1600 Earthquakes Recorded in Weeks

Dozens of residents were evacuated from remote islands in southern Japan after the region experienced over 1600 earthquakes in recent weeks, according to the mayor. This move came after a 5.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded last night, increasing residents' fears.

The mayor of Tokara Islands, Gyunishiro Kubo, reported that "no physical damage was recorded on Akuseki Island, the most affected by the tremors," but the continuous frequency of earthquakes over the past two weeks has caused "significant psychological pressure" on the residents, many of whom suffer from "insomnia."

Out of the total population of 89 on Akuseki Island, 44 people were evacuated to the nearby regional center of Kagoshima on Sunday, while another 15 left for a neighboring island, as explained by Kubo in a press conference.

Akuseki Island is part of the Tokara Archipelago south of Kyushu Island and has experienced "over 1600 earthquakes since June 21st." The area consists of seven inhabited and five uninhabited islands, with a ferry journey from Kagoshima taking about 11 hours.

The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded 364 earthquakes in the Tokara region in September 2023, indicating frequent seismic activity in the area.