[Field Story] A magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred in Miyazaki, Japan… Warning sound of “possibility of subsequent major earthquake”

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, southeastern Kyushu, Japan, on the afternoon of the 8th. Although the extent of damage to life and property is not currently known in detail, this is another strong earthquake that occurred about 7 months after the major earthquake on the Noto Peninsula (magnitude 7.6, 245 deaths) in early January this year. In particular, Japanese society appears to be on edge as it is known that the possibility of additional major earthquakes in the Nankai Trench area has increased following this earthquake. The Japanese government urged people to “prepare for immediate evacuation if a major earthquake occurs.”

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, at approximately 4:43 pm on this day. Regarding the earthquake, the Korea Meteorological Administration explained, "The epicenter is Hyuga-na, the epicenter is 31.8 degrees north latitude, 131.7 degrees east longitude, and the depth is estimated to be 30 km."

At one point, immediately after the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued for Miyazaki Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu, and Kochi Prefecture and Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku. However, all tsunami warnings were lifted around 10 p.m. According to the Japan Fire Agency's Disaster Response Headquarters under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, nine people were identified as injured as of 7:30 p.m. It is reported that there is no risk to life.

But the future is the problem. This is because the likelihood that additional large-scale earthquakes will occur in the future has increased. On this day, the Meteorological Administration held a review meeting attended by experts and announced ‘Nankai Trench Earthquake Temporary Information (Caution against Major Earthquakes)’.

The Japanese government estimates that the probability that a major Nankai Trench earthquake will occur within 30 years is 70 to 80 percent. There was also an analysis that if a major earthquake of magnitude 8 to 9 occurred in the Nankai Trench, approximately 230,000 people would be dead or missing, and 2.09 million buildings would be damaged. At a press conference, an official from the Korea Meteorological Administration said, "The possibility of a large-scale earthquake occurring has increased relatively compared to normal times," and asked, "Considering the possibility of a major earthquake over the next week or so, supplement home appliances and furniture to prevent them from falling over, and check tsunami evacuation routes." .

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, "We need to reconfirm our earthquake preparedness," in relation to the announcement of provisional information on the Nankai Trench earthquake at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on this day, and asked, "Please be prepared to evacuate immediately if an earthquake occurs."

Source: News

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:22-24)

Amen! God, we hear that a 7.1 earthquake has struck Japan, injuring people, and there is a possibility of more earthquakes in the future. We ask that You will meet the people of Japan and speak to them as they tremble in fear. Just as the ship that the Apostle Paul was on was damaged in a storm, but no lives were lost, you will come and protect the lives of the people of Japan.

Just as God preserved those who were with Paul until he fulfilled his mission, God will preserve and triumph over this land until he fulfills his mission among the Japanese church!

Lord, let those in Japan who do not yet believe in You now come to You with fear and trembling!

We pray that the church in Japan will realize that this is the last age of earthquakes, and that church will rise up as witnesses of the gospel to all nations, and they will rise up as a church that fulfills its mission.