Embassy: Earthquake in Japan's Honshu Causes No Fatalities

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Japanese Embassy in Jakarta stated that the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in northeast Honshu Island, Japan, on Monday (20/4) caused no fatalities. “Fortunately, no one died,” said Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta, Myochin Mitsuru, during a discussion in Jakarta on Thursday (23/4). The Japan Meteorological Agency previously reported an earthquake in the northeast Honshu region on Monday (20/4), specifically around Aomori and Iwate Prefectures. The earthquake’s magnitude was later updated from 7.5 to 7.7, and its depth revised from 10 kilometres to 18 kilometres. NHK media reported a tsunami detected at sea heading towards the coastal areas of Aomori and Iwate. Although there were no fatalities, Myochin said a total of nine people were injured due to the earthquake. He noted that the earthquake’s shaking was very strong. However, the tsunami that followed was not too severe, thus not causing serious damage. Meanwhile, as a country also prone to natural disasters, Indonesia and Japan have cooperation in disaster management. In a recent discussion between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Takaichi expressed Japan’s intention to cooperate in flood control measures and disaster prevention using Japanese satellite technology. Myochin emphasised that such steps require deeper technical oversight. However, by utilising satellites, Indonesia can strengthen its early warning system for typhoons and similar events. Therefore, in that regard, Japan may be able to provide more assistance to Indonesia. Not only by utilising satellites, Japan has also sent several experts to Indonesian authorities. “So, we are now exploring those possibilities. What kind of disaster management assistance we can provide,” Myochin said.