According to a report by Japan’s Yahoo News on July 5, there have been consecutive earthquakes in the waters near Tugular Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Observational data shows that an earthquake with a magnitude of 6 (Japanese standard) occurred on July 3 at the Oshima Island in Shitogawara Village.
Since June 21, there has been frequent seismic activity, with over 1000 earthquakes occurring in the waters near Tugular Island as the epicenter and with magnitudes exceeding 1.
Professor Masataka Nakamura, Director of the Research Center for Disaster Prevention Studies at the University of the Ryukyus, who specializes in earthquakes and tsunamis, shared his views on this cluster of earthquakes in the waters near Tugular Island.
▲On July 4, after an earthquake struck Oshima Island in Tugular Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, residents and tourists took to ferries to evacuate. (Visual China)
In response to rumors circulating on social media platforms claiming “a major earthquake will occur on July 5” and the so-called “Tugular Law,” which suggests that a cluster of earthquakes in Tugular Island inevitably leads to a major one, Professor Nakamura firmly stated, “These claims lack scientific basis.”
Nakamura pointed out: “The cluster of earthquakes in Tugular is quite frequent, and there are also frequent large earthquakes happening across Japan. Therefore, it seems there might be some correlation, but this is merely coincidence. It’s impossible to predict the exact date, so such rumors should be ignored and we should maintain our daily earthquake prevention awareness to live normally.”
On one hand, Nakamura denies the rumors spread on social media platforms, while on the other hand, he emphasized that earthquakes can happen anywhere in Japan at any time, calling on the public not to be misled by false information and to always stay prepared for disasters.
On domestic social media platforms in Japan, netizens expressed their anger towards the impact of the “apocalyptic earthquake” rumors on the development of Japan’s tourism industry, advocating for everyone to think critically and calmly.
One netizen wrote: “Marketing a ‘disaster’, probably with malicious intent!” Another netizen “end****” commented: “First off, the prediction isn’t about an earthquake; it’s about a tsunami after a loud noise, right? And it was supposed to be within July. Now it’s even international news, and hotel prices have dropped? People wonder if it was deliberately hyped by the publisher.”
“It’s clearly just a fictional product, yet many seem to genuinely believe something earth-shattering will happen on July 5. The author must be very frustrated seeing these rumors become global news,” said netizen “MOZU.” “Rumors should not be taken seriously; calm actions are the best strategy.”
Content Editor | Xu Man, Zhang Ping