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Japan Meteorological Agency warns against earthquake prediction hoaxes amid increased seismic activity

Recent events, including the magnitude-7.1 quake, have led the JMA to acknowledge an increased likelihood of a megaquake in the region compared to normal conditions. However, the agency emphasizes the inherent difficulty in predicting such events with precision. The JMA cites past failures, such as the inability to foresee the magnitude-9 Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011, despite the prior occurrence of a magnitude-7.3 quake off the Sanriku coast. This led to a policy shift in 2017, focusing on issuing alerts after significant seismic events rather than attempting precise predictions.

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Evacuation shelters activated across four Japanese prefectures amid Nankai trough earthquake advisory

As of Sunday, approximately half of the shelters had closed, leaving 65 shelters still operational, with 22 evacuees. Notably, in Tosashimizu, Kochi Prefecture, where a potential tsunami height of up to 34 meters is anticipated, around 15 elderly residents took refuge in a local shelter. Similarly, in Tosa, Kochi, a welfare shelter was set up in a senior care facility to accommodate bedridden elderly individuals.