Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes Southeast Hokkaido Japan

A significant earthquake of magnitude 5.9 to 6.0 struck near Erimo, Horoizumi-gun, Hokkaido, Japan, early on June 2, 2025, at a shallow depth of about 40 km, causing light shaking felt in nearby towns such as Erimo, Hiroo, and Urakawa. The quake was strong enough to be felt by many residents but is not expected to have caused major damage beyond minor disruptions like falling objects or broken windows. Hiroo, located near the epicenter, experiences high seismic activity with an average of 772 earthquakes annually, including rare but very strong quakes of magnitude 8 or greater approximately every 60 to 65 years. In the 24 hours surrounding this event, Hiroo experienced multiple quakes, including one of magnitude 6.0 and several smaller tremors. Additional unrelated moderate quakes were recorded in the Philippine Sea and near Guatemala, but they were not felt or reported to cause any impact. The ongoing seismic monitoring and reporting help provide timely alerts and data for residents and researchers in the region.