How often does Japan have earthquakes?

Japan recorded 25 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 92.6 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.

What was the largest recent earthquake in Japan?

The largest earthquake in Japan in the last 5 years was a magnitude 7.4 near 102 km ENE of Miyako, Japan.

When was the last major earthquake in Japan?

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Japan was a magnitude 5.6 near 209 km ESE of Ōfunato, Japan.

What magnitude earthquake can you feel?

Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 12, 2026, 9:12 PM UTC

EARTHQUAKES · JAPAN

Japan Earthquakes

Recent and significant earthquakes in Japan, drawn from the USGS global earthquake feed and mapped with magnitude and time.

CURRENT STATUS1 active watch

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Current earthquakes in Japan (1)

Japan has recorded 25 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.

#Hazard / eventSeverityLocationSourceUpdated

1M5.1 earthquakeElevated101 km S of Yudomari, JapanUSGSSep 12, 20261 hr ago

EarthquakesElevated

M 5.1 - 101 km S of Yudomari, Japan

101 km S of Yudomari, Japan

USGS1 hr ago

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Recent earthquake history

Japan has recorded 25 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.

Largest in 5 yearsM7.4102 km ENE of Miyako, Japan · Apr 20, 2026

Most recent M5.0+M5.6209 km ESE of Ōfunato, Japan · Aug 26, 2026

Notable quakes (M5+) per year92.6average over 5 years

252021

992022

642023

682024

1272025

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Notable earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+) per year in Japan

Notable earthquakes in Japan (last 5 years)

Magnitude	Location	Date
M7.4	102 km ENE of Miyako, Japan	Apr 20, 2026
M7.3	57 km ENE of Namie, Japan	Mar 16, 2022
M6.9	35 km ENE of Noda, Japan	Jun 24, 2026
M6.8	122 km E of Yamada, Japan	Nov 9, 2025
M6.8	15 km SE of Miyazaki, Japan	Jan 13, 2025
M6.7	41 km ESE of Ōfunato, Japan	May 15, 2026

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How often does Japan have earthquakes?: Japan recorded 25 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 92.6 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Japan?: The largest earthquake in Japan in the last 5 years was a magnitude 7.4 near 102 km ENE of Miyako, Japan.
When was the last major earthquake in Japan?: The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Japan was a magnitude 5.6 near 209 km ESE of Ōfunato, Japan.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?: Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

CONTEXT

About earthquakes in Japan

Most earthquakes are too small to feel. The USGS reports millions of quakes a year worldwide, and the vast majority are below magnitude 2.5. A page showing no recent activity usually means no notable quakes, not that nothing is being measured.

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the source; shaking you actually feel also depends on depth and how far you are from the epicenter. A shallow magnitude 4 nearby can feel stronger than a deep magnitude 5 far away.

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