Because of the influx of posts about the topic, I'm creating this megathread where people can ask questions and post helpful links. Please stay on topic, abide by all /r/JapanTravel rules, and keep conversation factual and direct (no dramatic speculaton, please).
After an earthquake (magnitude 7.1) off the southern coast of Japan (Miyazaki Prefecture) at 4:42pm JST on August 8, the government has issued a megaquake advisory (NHK article, Japan Times article), although they have since lifted tsunami warnings (see previous links). A second significant earthquake (magnitude 5.3) struck the Kanto area at 7:57pm JST on August 9, with no tsunami warning issued for it.
- For technical information about the August 8 earthquake, see here.
- For general listings of earthquakes in Japan, see here.
- For information about earthquake preparedness, see here.
- For general weather news and updates (including earthquake information), see here.
- For JR Kyushu train status updates, see here.
- For JR East train status updates, see here.
- For JR West train status updates, see here.
No one can tell you whether or not to travel to Japan or predict when/where an earthquake will happen. Japan has always been and will always remain at high risk for earthquakes. That hasn't changed and won't change going forward. The best thing you can do if you are already in Japan or planning to go there soon is to learn about earthquake preparedness and know what to do in an emergency. Your own feelings and risk tolerance will determine whether you continue with a trip to Japan as usual or not, but literally no one here can predict earthquakes or advise on whether it's completely safe to travel or not. If you want additional information about earthquakes and Japan's response to them in order to make your own decisions, see recent reputable reporting such as articles from the Japan Times, NHK's helpful advice for what to do in various emergencies, and BBC's explanation of the megaquake alert.
If you are looking for the monthly meet-up megathread, see here.
by Himekat