Japan issues tsunami advisory for coastal areas

Early Monday, Japan issued a tsunami advisory for certain coastal regions, prompted by a sequence of shallow earthquakes in the Izu islands in the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, seismologists reported no immediate damage resulting from the relatively minor waves generated by these seismic events.

 The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded tsunami waves measuring 60 centimeters (24 inches) on Hachijojima island, located 280 kilometers (170 miles) south of Tokyo. In addition, waves measuring 40 centimeters and 20 centimeters were observed in western Kochi prefecture and southern Miyazaki prefecture, respectively. 

While there have been no reports of damage, Tateyama City in Chiba, near Tokyo, urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate as a precautionary measure. During a press conference, JMA official Toshihiro Shimoyama emphasized the potential danger near the sea and coastline, urging people to stay away from these areas. 

While the exact cause remains uncertain, the JMA suspected that the tsunami waves were triggered by an earthquake. The US Geological Survey reported a series of shallow quakes in the Izu islands, with the strongest being a 5.4 magnitude tremor recorded at 5:17 am (2117 GMT Sunday), located approximately 551 kilometers south of Shimoda. This advisory follows a recent one-meter tsunami observed near the Izu islands after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurred last week.