Japan Lifts Megaquake Warning After Recent Quake

Japan has lifted a week-old advisory regarding a potential megaquake, effective Thursday, after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake injured 15 people in Miyazaki Prefecture. Despite the advisory's end, disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura cautioned that the risk of a major earthquake remains and urged the public to maintain preparedness. The alert, which affected many municipalities along the Pacific coast, had prompted widespread cancellations of vacations and hoarding of supplies. The Japan Meteorological Agency previously indicated a higher-than-normal probability of a significant seismic event occurring along the Nankai Trough, which has a historical tendency for powerful earthquakes. Experts suggest that if a megaquake were to occur, it could lead to catastrophic damage and loss of life, with estimates suggesting a 70% probability of such an event within the next 30 years. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of readiness among residents in earthquake-prone areas.