As per reports, the authorities initially issued a tsunami alert along nearly the entire western coastline following a significant 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck near the Noto Peninsula, roughly 300 km (190 miles) from Tokyo, on Monday (01 January).

The United States Geological Survey stated that there have been 31 aftershocks following the initial 7.6 magnitude earthquake. Of which, the largest aftershock so far was a magnitude 6.2 which occurred 8 minutes after the initial earthquake.

• Reportedly, US President Joe Biden offered Japan any necessary assistance after the earthquake.
• According to the Ishikawa Prefectural Crisis Management Team four casualties have been reported in Ishikawa prefecture as of Tuesday (02 January).
• Defense Minister Minoru Kihara stated that 1000 military personnel were preparing to go to the earthquake affected region, while 8500 others were on standby. Around 20 military aircraft were dispatched to survey the damage.
• The government stated that that as of Monday (01 January) night it had ordered more than 97000 residents in nine prefectures on the western coast of Japan’s main island Honshu to evacuate.
• 32000 homes in Ishikawa prefecture experience power outages due to the earthquake.
• Japan Airlines cancelled most of its services to the Niigata and Ishikawa regions following the earthquake.
• Forty train lines and two high-speed rail services to the earthquake-hit area halted operations, while six expressways were closed and one of Ishikawa’s airports was also shut due to a crack in the runway.
• Tsunami warnings were canceled along coastal regions, but advisories remain and residents have been urged to evacuate. Tsunami waves of up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) hit a number of areas along Japan’s western coast.
• Four bullet trains that came to a halt between the cities of Toyama and Kanazawa in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture during the earthquake remained at a standstill as of Tuesday (02 January).