Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits east of Yokohama, Japan

A shallow M5.6 earthquake was recorded at 16:17 UTC on December 25, 2025, approximately 99 km (62 miles) east of Yokohama, Japan. According to data provided by USGS, the quake occurred at a depth of 61.6 km (38.3 miles).

The coordinates place the epicenter at 41.2°N, 142.4°E, off the eastern shore of Honshu island, in proximity to major Japanese coastal cities. Yokohama is a significant urban area, but the epicenter’s offshore position situates it away from dense population centers, in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Given the offshore location, critical infrastructure in the general area may include major seaports, coastal highways, and energy facilities, consistent with the heavily industrialized Japanese coastline.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

The significance index is 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Japan is situated at the convergence of several major tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world.

This information was last updated at 16:37 UTC on December 25, 2025.