A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan late Friday, briefly triggering tsunami warnings that have since been lifted. While officials monitored for residual effects, the seismic event presented Hong Kong travelers scheduled for Japanese holidays with a difficult dilemma: proceed with caution or cancel long-planned trips.
The quake, which occurred deep beneath the Pacific Ocean near Aomori, prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue coastal warnings for areas including Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. By Saturday morning local time, the warnings were fully rescinded, allowing many international travel plans, particularly those far from the epicenter, to continue largely as scheduled.
Despite the all-clear, the incident highlighted the continuous seismic risk in Japan. Several travelers departing Hong Kong International Airport on Saturday morning confirmed they were monitoring the situation but felt comfortable proceeding, citing the geographical distance between the quake zone and their destinations.
Ms. Violets Wong, bound for a six-day trip to Fukuoka in southern Japan, acknowledged that friends in Tokyo had felt tremors. However, having booked her flights and accommodation three months in advance, she was determined to avoid cancellation.
“Fukuoka is quite far from Aomori, thankfully,” Ms. Wong told reporters before check-in. “I’m not overly worried, but I will be keeping a close eye on local news and alerts. After I land, I’m planning to look into buying an emergency earthquake kit from a convenience store just in case.”
Safety Proves the Primary Concern
For others traveling to major urban centers closer to the quake’s reach, such as Osaka, the initial concern centered on potential secondary hazards. Ms. Cindy Chan, traveling with her family to Osaka for five days, confessed that the tsunami alert was her biggest fear. She felt significant relief when the warnings were fully canceled early Saturday.
“We already bought the tickets. We have to go,” Ms. Chan said, while admitting some nervousness about possible aftershocks. “The tsunami was my main concern.”
Another traveler, Mr. Raymond Ho, part of a tour group heading to the Kansai region, indicated he was unaware of the earthquake upon departure, suggesting that many tourists remain relatively unfazed by Japan’s frequent seismic activity.
“Japan’s buildings have been shaking for decades,” Mr. Ho remarked, reflecting a common sentiment that modern Japanese infrastructure is resilient. “I have complete faith the existing structures are safe.”
Hong Kong Authorities Offer Reassurance
The Hong Kong Immigration Department confirmed it was actively monitoring the situation through diplomatic channels, including the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and the Chinese Consulate-General in Sapporo.
As of Saturday, the department had received no requests for assistance from Hong Kong residents in Japan. However, officials urged residents abroad to remain vigilant and utilize the dedicated resources available should they encounter difficulties.
Key Traveler Resources:
- 24-Hour Hotline: Hong Kong Immigration Department’s Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit at (852) 1868.
- Mobile Assistance: The 1868 hotline is accessible via data calls through the department’s mobile application, WhatsApp, and WeChat.
- Online Forms: Secure online submission for urgent assistance requests.
As the immediate danger subsided, the event served as a salient reminder for all visitors to Japan to research local emergency procedures and consider securing basic disaster preparedness supplies, regardless of their destination’s distance from the most recent tremor.
Leave a Reply