The quiet morning on Japan’s southern coast was broken by a magnitude 5.3 earthquake. It struck Kagoshima Prefecture at 6:29 AM local time on Saturday. Residents on Akuseki Island felt the shaking strongly, reaching level “Upper 5” on Japan’s seismic scale. Thankfully, officials quickly confirmed there was no tsunami threat.
This recent tremor adds to a worrying pattern of seismic activity. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported the quake’s details this July 5, 2025. The center of the shaking was near Akusekijima, a small island within the Tokara region. While the quake was felt acutely, initial reports have not noted any major damage or injuries. This is a small relief for an area already on edge.
Life here has become a constant test of nerves. More than 1,000 earthquakes have rumbled through the area in just the last two weeks. This intense period of shaking began around June 21st, affecting islands like Akuseki and Kodakara, both part of the Tokara archipelago.
One quake was particularly strong. It hit Toshima Village with an intensity of “Lower 6” on the Japanese scale. This level of shaking had not been recorded there since record-keeping began in 1919. Imagine that, a century without such a powerful jolt. This history-making tremor added to people’s worries.
Because of the non-stop shaking, many islanders decided to move. Starting Friday morning, residents from Akuseki Island began evacuating. They are heading to the port in Kagoshima city, where temporary shelters await them. This constant movement below ground has understandably put everyone on high alert.
Adding to the tension are social media rumors. Speculation about a much larger earthquake hitting Japan on July 5, 2025, has spread quickly online. While officials focus on the facts, these rumors certainly don’t calm the nerves of people living with daily tremors.