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In an unusual seismic episode, over 1,000 earthquakes have struck the Tokara Islands in southern Japan since June 1, 2025, triggering panic, evacuation orders, and heightened concerns about a potential larger earthquake. The persistent tremors—several of which registered magnitudes of 5.5 or higher—have had a significant psychological and logistical impact on the island's residents.

About Tokara Islands:

• Located south of Kyushu and north of the Amami Islands, the Tokara archipelago (also called Toshima Islands) consists of seven inhabited and five uninhabited islands.
• The inhabited islands include Kuchinoshima, Nakanoshima, Suwanosejima, Tairajima, Akusekijima, Kodakarajima, and Takarajima.
• Administered by Toshima Village, it is Japan’s longest village, stretching over 160 km.
• Nakanoshima is the largest and most populated island; it is dominated by Mount Otake (979 m).
• The islands lie in a subtropical-temperate climate zone, receiving around 2,700 mm of rainfall annually.
• Geologically, they are situated in one of the most earthquake-prone zones globally.