A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan's Miyagi region on Friday evening, prompting the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) to remind travellers to follow local authority advice. No tsunami warnings have been issued, and the FCDO has not updated its travel advice for Japan.
Japan sits in a major earthquake zone, and the FCDO advises tourists to take note of instructions in hotels and train stations, and to follow local authority guidance. Earthquake and tsunami warnings can be monitored via the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
The quake hit at 8.22pm local time, 50 kilometres deep, registering a 6.7 magnitude and a seismic intensity of 5 on Japan's scale (max 7). In cities like Tome, Osaki, and Ishinomaki, it registered a lower 5. No immediate injuries or damage have been reported.
Hundreds of flights to and from Japan, including at Sendai airport, have been delayed. JR East suspended high-speed rail between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. The Japanese government issued emergency warnings for five prefectures but said there is no immediate tsunami risk.
As the FCDO has not advised against non-essential travel, standard cancellation policies apply. Travellers concerned about the earthquake should contact their holiday provider; refunds are not guaranteed unless government advice changes.
