TOKARA ISLANDS

Current Context: Over 1,000 earthquakes occurred around Japan’s Tokara Islands in the past two weeks, indicating intense seismic activity.

About Tokara Islands

• Location: Archipelago south of Kyushu, north of Amami—part of Toshima-mura municipality.
• Islands: Seven inhabited (e.g., Nakanoshima with Mt Otake, 979 m) and five uninhabited.
• Geography & Climate: Covers ~160 km; climate is warm, frost-free, with ~2,700 mm annual rainfall.

Seismic Importance: Located in one of the most active tectonic zones in the world.