Earthquakes in Japan
No events have been recorded in Japan in the past 30 days, though the great majority are too small to be felt at the surface. Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the depth distribution below shows the subducting slab beneath it directly.
4 earthquakes have been recorded in Japan in our catalogue, 0 of them in the past 30 days.
The average magnitude is 4.6 and the average focal depth 97 km. 4 events reached magnitude 4 or above and 1 reached magnitude 5 or above.
The strongest earthquake recorded in Japan in this period was a magnitude 5.2 event near Makurazaki, Japan on 17 December 2024, at a depth of 165 km. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake radiates roughly 951 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
Locations recording the most events include Yuki (1), Aridagawa (1), Yonaguni (1), Makurazaki (1).
25% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 75% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.
The deepest event on record here was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake at 165 km beneath Makurazaki, Japan on 17 December 2024.
By band, the catalogue holds 3 in the magnitude 4 range, 1 in the magnitude 5 range.
The busiest single day was 17 December 2024, with 3 recorded events.
No event in this record carries a USGS link to NOAA tsunami information.
All recorded earthquakes in Japan
4 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | Yonaguni, Japan | 111.0 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Yuki, Japan | 76.9 | Japan | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Makurazaki, Japan | 165.5 | Japan | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Aridagawa, Japan | 34.6 | Japan | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes have there been in Japan?
4 earthquakes are recorded in Japan in our catalogue, including 0 in the past 30 days and 4 of magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Japan?
The largest recorded here was a magnitude 5.2 event near Makurazaki, Japan on 17 December 2024.
Is Japan at risk of earthquakes?
Earthquake hazard depends on proximity to active faults and plate boundaries rather than on national borders. The record for Japan shows 4 events of magnitude 4 or above, which is the band at which shaking becomes widely noticeable. Consult your national seismic hazard agency for building-code and preparedness guidance.
Earthquakes in Japan by month
Event counts for Japan reflect seismic network density as well as genuine activity. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.