‘It Feels Endless’: Japan’s Quake-Hit Island Becomes A Living Nightmare For Residents

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 18:12 IST

The repeated tremors, some strong enough to topple furniture and make it hard to stand, have left the island community exhausted and frightened

On Akusekijima, part of the Tokara Islands, about 75% of the population left after the strongest quake on 3 July. (Image via X)

A remote Japanese island has faced more than 1,800 earthquakes in the past three weeks, forcing most of its residents to evacuate to the mainland. The repeated tremors, some strong enough to topple furniture and make it hard to stand, have left the island community exhausted and frightened.

On Akusekijima, part of the Tokara Islands, about 75% of the population left after the strongest quake on 3 July. But school principal Yoshiro Tobo is among the few who chose to stay behind.

Tobo, 52, says he is tired and scared, often struggling to sleep amid the “endless" shaking. “It has been shaking repeatedly for many days. I’ve been feeling very anxious and scared and it’s difficult to sleep," he told CNN.

He added, “At their worst, the earthquakes seem endless. I can sense when a big one is coming. Even in my sleep, I can feel it approaching from a distance."

During a recent evacuation, Tobo opened the school playground to provide a safe outdoor space for those who remained. So far, the school building has not been damaged.

Despite his fears, Tobo feels responsible as the island’s school principal. I’ve chosen to stay on the island and support the effort by coordinating with government officials and local residents.

Other residents remaining include firefighters, farmers, power workers, one doctor, and one nurse.

Takashi Arikawa, an official from the Toshima Village Office, said the community is “sleep-deprived" and “exhausted" due to the continuous earthquakes.

Nearby on Kodakarajima island, some residents have evacuated while others remain hopeful as the quakes start to ease.

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, located where four major tectonic plates meet along the western edge of the Pacific “Ring of Fire." With a population of around 125 million, the country experiences roughly 1,500 tremors each year and is responsible for about 18% of global seismic activity.

Recently, some international tourists have delayed trips to Japan due to baseless rumours on social media warning of an impending major earthquake.

Much of the concern stemmed from a manga comic that was re-released in 2021, which claimed a major disaster would strike on 5 July 2025 — a prediction that ultimately did not come true.

(With inputs from agencies)

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News world ‘It Feels Endless’: Japan’s Quake-Hit Island Becomes A Living Nightmare For Residents