Is it safe to travel to Japan? Latest advice after earthquake
A 6.7 magnitude quake struck off the Miyagi coast on Friday, prompting travellers to question the safety of visiting Japan. The earthquake occurred at 8:22 PM local time, with a depth of approximately 50 kilometres, according to Japan's meteorological agency. Although no tsunami warnings have been issued, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises tourists to “follow the advice of local authorities” in the event of a disaster in this major earthquake zone.
Current travel advice
As of Friday afternoon, the FCDO has not issued any new advice for travellers in Japan. General safety guidance for the country warns that it sits “in a major earthquake zone”. Travellers are urged to “take note of instructions in hotel rooms and at train stations and follow the advice of local authorities” during a disaster. Earthquake, tsunami and aftershock warnings can be monitored on the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
Local authorities' response
The Japanese government has issued emergency warnings to people in five prefectures but stated there was no immediate risk of a tsunami. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.7 with a seismic intensity of 5 on Japan’s scale, which goes up to 7. In the cities of Tome, Osaki and Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture, the earthquake also registered a lower 5 on the Japanese scale, as reported by Japan Times.
Impact on travel
According to FlightRadar24, hundreds of flights to and from Japan are currently delayed, including at Sendai airport in Miyagi prefecture. A high-speed railway line between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori stations was suspended following the quake, said operator JR East. However, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or damage, according to Japan Times.
Cancelling a holiday
As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to Japan, there are no special circumstances for cancelling a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancellation depend on your holiday provider, so it is best to contact them if you are considering postponing due to earthquake concerns. Companies are not obliged to refund bookings if you wish to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on travel insurance for safety concerns unless government advice changes.
