The Japan Meteorological Agency is warning that areas hit by the devastating earthquake on New Year's Day are likely to experience powerful tremors for about a month.

JMA official Tsukada Shinya said at a news conference on Monday that earthquakes are now occurring less frequently in Ishikawa and surrounding prefectures.

Tsukada said a quake as powerful as the magnitide-7.6 tremor that occurred one week ago is less likely to take place, but there is continued seismic activity.

He urged people in the affected region to brace themselves for possible quakes with an intensity of upper five or more on the Japanese scale in the coming month.

Citing the increased risk of building collapses and landslides, Tsukada called on people to keep updated with the latest earthquake and weather information and not to enter dangerous places when engaging in recovery efforts.