A: Hey there! Heard anything interesting lately?
B: Not much, just living my life here in Japan. Why?

A: Well, I've got some news about those Tokara Islands we love so much. Ever since June 21st, it seems like they're having quite a shake-up!
B: Really now? What do you mean?

A: Turns out, there have been almost 2,200 earthquakes around the islands that people could feel! And some of them are getting pretty strong, like lower 6 on our seismic scale.
B: Oh wow, sounds serious! They've had some shocks before, but this time it's worse, right?

A: Absolutely! The Japan Meteorological Agency says there were more quakes in the sea off the Tokara Islands in just a few days than in the whole year of 2021 and 2023 combined!
B: Whoa, that's quite a bump up! I hope they stay safe over there.

A: Yeah, me too! Let's keep an eye on it and hope for the best, okay?
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Nearly 2,200 earthquakes strong enough to be felt by humans have recently struck around a southwestern Japanese island chain.



Weather officials are calling on people to remain vigilant against more earthquakes that could register lower 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of zero to seven.



Seismic activity has intensified since June 21 around the islands of Akusekijima and Kodakarajima, which are part of Kagoshima Prefecture's Tokara Islands.



A quake measuring lower 6 hit Akusekijima Island on July 3, followed by two jolts with intensities of upper 5 on July 6. Another quake registering lower 5 struck the island on July 7.



The Japan Meteorological Agency says that as of 11 a.m. on Sunday, a total of 2,193 tremors with intensities of one or higher have been observed in the sea off the Tokara Islands since June 21.



Most recently, there were 14 on Friday, 15 on Saturday, and three by 11 a.m. on Sunday.



The sea off the island chain saw a series of earthquakes in 2021 and 2023. But the number of recent jolts has far exceeded the past figures.