Japan's Hokkaido has recently experienced a series of earthquakes of magnitude 4 and above. Early this morning (2nd), a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the Tokachi coast, with many areas in Hokkaido registering a shaking intensity of 4. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a warning that strong aftershocks may occur at any time.

According to NHK reports, these earthquakes have emerged at the junction of the Pacific and land tectonic plates. Although the epicenters are scattered and these earthquakes are not directly related, the area around the Kuril Trench has a history of significant seismic activity, prompting authorities to remain vigilant.

In fact, Hokkaido faced an 8.0 magnitude earthquake off Tokachi in 2003, which caused a weaker shaking of intensity 6. The Meteorological Agency, following this incident, established a notification system for earthquake-related warnings. If earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater occur in the Kuril Trench or Japan Trench regions, alerts will be issued within about two hours to notify residents across 182 municipalities of the increased risk of significant earthquakes and tsunamis. While the agency does not call for immediate evacuation, it advises residents to be ready for quick evacuations over the following week.