Key Facts
• July 30: Earthquake near Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunamis across Japan.
• 1.3-meter tsunami hit Kuji Port, Iwate; effects persisted nationwide.
• Tomakomai Port ferry delayed by 19 hours due to tsunami.
• Kesennuma, Miyagi: Oyster farming rafts severely damaged; ropes snapped, rafts sank.
• 60 oyster rafts impacted; 50% of oysters died due to high water temperatures.
• 2010 Chile earthquake and 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake also damaged Kesennuma oysters.
• Tsunami described as “sea movement,” not just waves, by local experts.
• July 31: Tsunami advisory lifted in Miyagi at 4:30 PM.
• Nationwide evacuation orders affected 21 prefectures and over 2 million people.
• Mie: 58-year-old woman died during evacuation; Hokkaido: 80-year-old man injured.
• Heat-related issues: 11 people hospitalized; evacuation shelters lacked air conditioning.
• Only 23.7% of public gymnasiums in Japan have air conditioning; Hokkaido at 3.8%, Iwate at 0.9%.
Summary
A powerful earthquake near the Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30 caused tsunamis across Japan, severely impacting oyster farming in Kesennuma, Miyagi. The tsunami damaged nearly all 60 oyster farming rafts, with 50% of oysters dying due to high water temperatures. Local experts highlighted the unique challenges of tsunamis, describing them as “sea movement” rather than waves. Nationwide, over 2 million people were evacuated, with casualties including a fatality in Mie and injuries in Hokkaido. Heat-related issues were significant, as only 23.7% of public gymnasiums in Japan have air conditioning, with even lower rates in northern regions. The tsunami advisory was lifted in Miyagi on July 31, but the psychological and economic toll on affected communities remains profound.
