What Happened to Major Earthquakes in Japan (2024-2026)?

Japan, situated on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, has faced a challenging period of significant earthquake activity from 2024 through mid-2026, testing its renowned disaster resilience systems. The most impactful event was the M7.6 Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1, 2024, which struck Ishikawa Prefecture. This reverse-faulting shock reached a maximum seismic intensity of Shindo 7, causing widespread destruction, including ground fissures, landslides, and building collapses, particularly in Suzu, Wajima, Noto, and Anamizu. The earthquake also generated Japan's first major tsunami warning since the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, with waves up to 1.2 meters observed. As of December 2025, the combined direct and indirect death toll from the Noto earthquake and its aftermath, including hypothermia due to harsh winter conditions, had risen to approximately 700, with two people still missing. Nearly 84,000 homes were damaged, and an estimated 2.44 million tons of disaster waste accumulated.

Recovery efforts in the Noto Peninsula have been extensive but challenging. By May 2026, about a year and a half after the quake, infrastructure restoration, such as National Route 249, was steadily progressing, despite additional setbacks from torrential rains in September 2024. However, the human impact remains significant, with over 18,000 people still living in temporary housing as of December 2025. Issues like population outflow and an aging demographic further complicate the path to full reconstruction. The economic cost of the Noto earthquake was estimated between $7.4 billion and $17.6 billion, making it the seventh-largest insured loss from a Japanese earthquake.

Beyond the Noto earthquake, Japan has experienced a series of powerful tremors off its northern Pacific coast. A M7.1 earthquake struck in the Hyūga Sea off Kyushu in August 2024, injuring 16 people and raising concerns about the Nankai Trough. More recently, seismic activity intensified off the Sanriku coast. A M7.5 earthquake occurred on December 8, 2025, followed by a M7.7 on April 20, 2026, and a M7.2 on June 25, 2026. These events triggered tsunami warnings and advisories, with waves up to 80 cm observed. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued advisories for an increased risk of a larger earthquake in the region, noting that the likelihood had risen tenfold from 0.1% to 1% after the April 2026 event. While these recent quakes caused some injuries and infrastructure disruptions, no major life-threatening casualties or abnormalities at nuclear facilities were reported.

In response to continuous seismic threats, Japan is actively strengthening its disaster preparedness. In June 2026, the government revised its basic plan for a potential megaquake directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area, aiming to reduce deaths and building losses by half or more. Key measures include installing seismic circuit breakers in almost all Tokyo households by fiscal 2035 and increasing food stockpiles. Furthermore, a new centralized Disaster Management Agency is set to launch in November 2026, shifting Japan's approach from reactive response to long-term preparedness, supported by a $134 billion investment between 2026 and 2030 for resilience and infrastructure. These ongoing efforts underscore Japan's commitment to mitigating the impact of future seismic events.