Japanese Expert Raises Possibility of Additional Earthquakes... Anxious Citizens and Rumors Spreading on SNS

Aftershock and Tsunami Observed Following Gangjin Earthquake on the 13th
Possibility of Another Earthquake of Similar Magnitude or Tsunami
"Tsunami Also Occurred 10 Years Ago," Some Japanese Citizens Express Anxiety
"Joseonin Poisoned the Well," Fake News Spreading on SNS

A wooden structure in Fukushima Prefecture collapsed due to a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that occurred on the afternoon of the 13th (local time) off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] As an earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, striking some regions, concerns have arisen about the possibility of additional aftershocks, causing anxiety among citizens. Furthermore, it has been revealed that false rumors targeting Korea have spread on Japanese social networking services (SNS) and other online communities, leading to suggestions that Japanese society may be somewhat unsettled due to this earthquake.

According to Japan's public broadcaster NHK on the 15th (local time), the Japanese government's Earthquake Research Committee explained that for about a week from this day, earthquakes of up to "seismic intensity 6 upper" could occur. Seismic intensity 6 upper means a strong earthquake where people cannot stand properly, and phenomena such as ground fissures or landslides occur.

In particular, the committee stated that since the earthquake on the 13th, shaking and tsunamis (seismic sea waves) of about 20 cm have been observed in some areas including Fukushima Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture. The strong shaking of the tectonic plates caused by this earthquake means that similar strength earthquakes or tsunamis could hit nearby cities for the time being.

A store manager is cleaning up broken bottles caused by an earthquake at an alcohol store in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. / Photo by Yonhap News

Some local residents are reportedly worried about additional earthquake damage. On the 14th, a Fukushima Prefecture resident told the Japanese media outlet Asahi Shimbun, "The earthquake is similar to the Great East Japan Earthquake 10 years ago, so I am nervous," expressing anxiety by adding, "Ten years ago, after similar shaking, a large tsunami occurred two days later."

Another resident of Miyagi Prefecture said, "When an earthquake comes, a tsunami follows," and added, "Having experienced it once, I am worried."

Amid this situation, some have taken advantage of the anxiety caused by the earthquake to spread racist fake news and rumors, sparking controversy. The proliferation of fake news amid the widespread anxiety about earthquakes among many Japanese citizens appears to be a sign of a chaotic situation.

According to the Japanese media outlet Mainichi Shimbun on the 14th, discriminatory remarks and uncertain rumors have spread on Japanese SNS platforms such as Twitter and YouTube following this earthquake.

At the time the earthquake occurred, a Japanese netizen spread fake news claiming that "a Joseon person was seen poisoning a well." The account in question has since been deleted. / Photo by Twitter capture

The outlet pointed out, "Some of these rumors imitate those that spread during the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake," adding, "Similar phenomena occur during every disaster. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, baseless claims that 'foreigners were committing crimes' spread on SNS."

In fact, controversy arose after it was belatedly revealed that around 11:08 p.m. on the 13th, a Japanese netizen posted on Twitter, "I saw a Korean poisoning a well in Fukushima," sparking debate.

Meanwhile, at around 11 p.m. on the same day, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, with seismic intensity 6 upper observed in some areas including Fukushima and Miyagi Prefectures. This was the first time since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that seismic intensity 6 upper was recorded in these areas.

According to Japanese authorities, at least 142 people were injured in this earthquake, and approximately 950,000 households experienced power outages.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.