TOKYO: The quake, which occurred at a very shallow depth, rattled parts of Hokkaido but caused no immediate harm to people or infrastructure, according to initial assessments from Japanese authorities. The epicenter was located offshore, reducing the likelihood of widespread impact.

Japan, located at the convergence of four tectonic plates, is among the world’s most earthquake-prone nations. With over 100 active volcanoes, the country remains under constant vigilance for seismic threats.

While Wednesday’s tremor did not trigger a tsunami warning, it served as a reminder of Japan’s vulnerability. In 2011, a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake followed by a massive tsunami killed over 15,000 people and led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster — one of the worst nuclear accidents in history.