Tokyo earthquake
The gist
Japan's weather agency issued then canceled a quake early warning showing a mistaken magnitude 9.9.
The false alarm reached Tokyo-area phones, raising questions about how the alert system misfired.
How it unfolded
- Oct 16, 2026 12:36A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula; the Japan Meteorological Agency issued an earthquake early warning at approximately 12:36 p.m. Friday in Japan.
- Oct 16, 2026 12:40The warning was issued at 12:40 p.m., setting off alarms on public speakers and mobile phones; the display identified the location as the Kuril Islands region with an estimated magnitude of 9.9 at a depth of 140 km.
- Oct 16, 2026 12:48The agency canceled the warning at 12:48 p.m.; the 12:36 quake was felt lightly in Hakodate, and no tsunami warnings or advisories were issued.