Warnings of a Strong Earthquake in Japan After a Powerful Quake

Japanese experts have warned of the possibility of a strong earthquake following the 7.1 magnitude quake that struck the southern coasts of Japan yesterday, injuring 8 people. The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that "the likelihood of another strong earthquake is higher than usual, but this does not indicate that an earthquake will definitely occur." This is the first time a similar warning has been issued since the establishment of a new alert system following the devastating earthquake in 2011. A government spokesperson declined to comment on reports from NHK, indicating that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would cancel a planned trip today to Central Asia due to the warning. On Friday morning, the Prime Minister canceled his scheduled trip to Central Asia following alerts of a possible strong earthquake. Kishida told reporters, "As Prime Minister, who bears the highest responsibility in crisis management, I have decided to remain in Japan for at least a week."