Japan PM scraps overseas trip after 'megaquake' advisory

Tokyo: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday cancelled a four day trip to Central Asia after government scientists warned Japan should prepare for a...

Tokyo: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday cancelled a four-day trip to Central Asia after government scientists warned Japan should prepare for a possible "megaquake".

The weather agency said a huge earthquake was more likely in the aftermath of a magnitude 7.1 jolt in the south on Thursday, which left 14 people injured.

Some bullet trains between Tokyo and western Osaka are running more slowly as a precaution, so delays will be possible for about a week, the rail operator said.

Nuclear plants nationwide were also instructed by authorities to double-check their disaster preparations.

The Japanese word for "hoarding" was trending on social media platform X as people expressed concern about panic-buying and urged each other to stay rational.