On February 26 at 2:17 a.m., an earthquake measuring 震度3 (shindo san) struck Miyazaki Prefecture in southern Japan. According to NHK, there is no risk of a 津波 (tsunami) from this event.

Earthquake Recorded in Miyazaki

At approximately 2:17 a.m. on the 26th, a 地震 (jishin, earthquake) occurred, and shaking with a seismic intensity of 3 was 観測されました (kansoku saremashita, was observed).

The areas where 震度3の揺れを観測した (shindo san no yure o kansoku shita, shaking of seismic intensity 3 was recorded) were:

• 宮崎県日南市 (Miyazaki-ken Nichinan-shi) — Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture
• 宮崎県串間市 (Miyazaki-ken Kushima-shi) — Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture

In addition, weaker shaking of 震度2 (shindo ni) and 震度1 (shindo ichi) was recorded in other parts of Kyushu.

Importantly, authorities stated that この地震による津波の心配はありません (Kono jishin ni yoru tsunami no shinpai wa arimasen.) “There is no concern about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.”

Understanding Japan’s Seismic Scale

Japan uses its own seismic intensity scale called 震度 (shindo). Unlike magnitude, which measures the energy of an earthquake, shindo measures how strong the 揺れ (yure, shaking) feels in a specific location.

A 震度3 earthquake is noticeable indoors. Many people will feel the shaking, and objects such as dishes or shelves may rattle, but it typically does not cause significant damage.

Because Japan experiences frequent earthquakes, official reports quickly clarify whether there is any 心配 (shinpai, concern) about a tsunami. The phrase 〜による (ni yoru, “caused by”) is commonly used in these announcements, as in:

• この地震による津波 (kono jishin ni yoru tsunami) “A tsunami caused by this earthquake”

Clear communication helps residents respond calmly and appropriately.

Learn Japanese from This Article

Key Vocabulary

Notice how technical-sounding words like 観測する are very common in news reports. You’ll frequently see them in weather and disaster coverage.

Grammar Spotlight

1️⃣ 〜による — “caused by” / “due to”

This structure connects a cause to a result.

Structure: Noun + による + Noun

Example from the article: この地震による津波の心配はありません。 Kono jishin ni yoru tsunami no shinpai wa arimasen. “There is no concern about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.”

More examples:

• 台風による被害 taifū ni yoru higai Damage caused by a typhoon

• 事故による渋滞 jiko ni yoru jūtai Traffic congestion due to an accident

2️⃣ 〜のは〜です — Emphasizing “The one/thing that…”

This pattern highlights or identifies something specific.

Structure: Verb / Clause + のは + Noun + です

From the article’s structure:

震度3の揺れを観測したのは宮崎県日南市と串間市です。 Shindo san no yure o kansoku shita no wa Miyazaki-ken Nichinan-shi to Kushima-shi desu. “The places where seismic intensity 3 was observed are Nichinan City and Kushima City in Miyazaki Prefecture.”

This grammar helps you clearly define “the one that…” in formal explanations — very common in news Japanese.

Useful Expressions from News Reports

• 〜ごろ (~goro) — “around (a time)” 午前2時17分ごろ (gozen ni-ji jū-nana-fun goro) “Around 2:17 a.m.”

• 心配はありません (shinpai wa arimasen) “There is no concern.” A reassuring phrase often used after earthquakes or typhoons.

Continue Learning

• Reading and Writing in Japanese II: Hiragana and Katakana: Curious about the Japanese used here? Our Reading and Writing in Japanese II: Hiragana and Katakana lesson covers this in depth.
• Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script: Working on your reading skills? Our Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script lesson is a great next step.
• Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties: Ready to dive deeper? Our lesson on Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties will help you master these concepts.

Earthquake reports like this are short, factual, and highly structured — which makes them excellent practice material. By learning the vocabulary and grammar patterns used here, you’re building the skills to understand real Japanese news as it’s written for native speakers.

これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.