Old Videos Falsely Linked to 7.7-Magnitude Tremor in Northern Japan

Following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake off northern Japan on Monday, misleading footage purporting to show the recent event has circulated online. Fact-checkers have confirmed that the videos in question are outdated and unrelated to the latest seismic activity.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake occurred at a depth of approximately 40 kilometers, triggering a brief tsunami advisory for coastal regions. While the alert was later lifted, authorities warned of a slightly elevated risk of a larger follow-up event along the Japan Trench.

AFP Fact Check investigated claims tying the tremor to year-old earthquake footage and found the material had been misrepresented. The clips actually depict the magnitude-7.5 quake that struck the Ishikawa region on New Year’s Day 2024, which caused significant damage and resulted in nearly 470 fatalities — Japan’s deadliest seismic event in over a decade.

Indonesian diplomatic missions in Japan, including the Embassy in Tokyo and the Consulate-General in Osaka, have confirmed no Indonesian nationals were injured or affected by the recent quake. The Jakarta Globe reported that the KBRI Tokyo issued an advisory urging calm and reiterated readiness to assist citizens if needed.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that Japan’s nuclear facilities remained safe following the tremor, with no abnormalities detected at power plants along the Pacific coast. The agency continues to coordinate with Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority to monitor conditions.

Experts note that while the 7.7-magnitude event raised concerns about potential megathrust activity, particularly in vulnerable coastal zones, there is currently no evidence linking it to heightened tsunami risks in distant regions such as Bali. The Japan Meteorological Agency maintains its earthquake early warning system to provide real-time alerts and mitigate disaster impacts.

As Japan remains situated along one of the world’s most active seismic zones, officials emphasize the importance of relying on verified information during natural disasters to prevent the spread of misinformation.