In Kumamoto Prefecture, a key hub for Japan's semiconductor industry, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck, with local CCTV footage capturing the tense moments during the event.
According to reports from Japan's NHK, the earthquake occurred at approximately 4:27 PM in the Kumamoto region. The quake's depth is estimated to be around 10 kilometers.
The earthquake registered the highest intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale in Uki and Hikawa towns. Strong tremors of 6+ were recorded in Minami-ku, Kumamoto City, as well as in Yatsushiro City, Uto City, Misato Town, and Mashiki Town. Other areas, including Kamiamakusa City, Koshi City, Ozu Town, Nishi-Hara Village, Mihune Town, and Ashikita Town, also experienced strong vibrations of 6-.
Footage from the time of the earthquake has been circulating online. One video, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), shows products and items tumbling off shelves in what appears to be a supermarket warehouse due to the strong shaking. Another video features a live CCTV camera outdoors swaying significantly, vividly illustrating the earthquake's power.
The earthquake's effects were felt in some regions of South Korea as well. The Korea Meteorological Administration reported that areas including Gyeongnam, Busan, Jeonnam, Gwangju, and Jeju experienced tremors of up to intensity III, while regions such as Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk, Daegu, Ulsan, Jeonbuk, Chungnam, and Chungbuk felt tremors of up to intensity II.
Intensity III indicates that several people indoors can feel the shaking, and stationary vehicles may sway slightly, while intensity II means that some people in quiet settings or on upper floors of buildings may sense vibrations.
Kumamoto Prefecture is one of Japan's largest semiconductor investment areas, home to TSMC's factory in Japan. The extent of damage to semiconductor production facilities from this earthquake has not yet been officially confirmed.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.