Japan lies at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences roughly a fifth of the world’s strongest earthquakes. This page pulls real records for Japan: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Japan.
Check Japan hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Japan - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Japan - FAQ
Is Japan at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 506 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 500 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M9.1 in 2011.
What was the biggest earthquake in Japan?
The strongest earthquake on record near Japan is M9.1, in 2011 (2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake, Japan), from USGS.
Does Japan get tsunamis?
Yes - 169 tsunamis since 701 (most recently 2024) within 500 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 105,385 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Japan?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.