Western Japan was jolted by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake Tuesday, injuring several and prompting quick response from emergency services. Centered in eastern Shimane Prefecture, the quake’s shallow 10 km depth amplified its impact, registering over 5 on the Japanese intensity scale in hardest-hit areas.

Striking at 10:18 AM local time, the event was followed by two aftershocks—5.1 and 5.4 magnitudes—within 20 minutes in the same vicinity. Coordinates pinpoint the epicenter at 35.3°N, 133.2°E, affecting Shimane, Tottori, and Hiroshima prefectures profoundly.

Emergency crews rushed four victims in Matsue to hospitals after they fell amid the violent shaking; damaged homes dotted the cityscape. In Sakaiminato, Tottori, road fissures alarmed officials, while Fukuyama in Hiroshima saw two injuries from the propagated waves.

Transportation ground to a halt as power outages crippled the Sanyo Shinkansen, suspending services between key stations. JR West eyes a 1 PM restart, but ripple delays plague the line. This quake revives memories of a recent 5.7 tremor off Iwate’s coast on New Year’s Eve, which shook Morioka at intensity 4 without casualties or tsunami threats.

Japan’s advanced warning systems and resilient infrastructure mitigated worse outcomes, yet the incidents highlight the nation’s constant dance with earthquakes. Experts advise preparedness, from securing furniture to heeding evacuation drills, as seismic risks persist.