Summary of Earthquake and Disaster Prevention Information for July 22, 2026
This is the independent disaster prevention media 'Bousai X'.
We are delivering earthquake activity for the past 24 hours and disaster prevention information to keep in mind for this time of year on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Earthquake activity over the past 24 hours
In the 24 hours from 6:00 PM on July 21 to 6:00 PM on July 22, there were 9 earthquakes in Japan that registered a seismic intensity of 1 or higher.
The maximum seismic intensity was 2, and no earthquakes causing damage occurred.
July 22, around 10:55 AM: Aizu region, Fukushima Prefecture, M2.2, maximum seismic intensity 1
July 22, around 8:01 AM: Northern Saitama Prefecture, M2.0, maximum seismic intensity 1
July 22, around 7:58 AM: Central Nagano Prefecture, M2.9, maximum seismic intensity 1
July 22, around 7:30 AM: Central Nagano Prefecture, M2.9, maximum seismic intensity 1
July 22, around 5:49 AM: Chikugo region, Fukuoka Prefecture, M2.4, maximum seismic intensity 1
July 22, around 5:45 AM: Central Nagano Prefecture, M3.2, maximum seismic intensity 2
July 22, around 12:47 AM: Eastern Aichi Prefecture, M3.2, maximum seismic intensity 1
July 22, around 12:42 AM: Western Aichi Prefecture, M3.0, maximum seismic intensity 1
July 21, around 11:55 PM: Off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, M4.0, maximum seismic intensity 1
In central Nagano Prefecture, three earthquakes occurred in succession over a period of about two hours between 5:45 AM and 7:58 AM on the 22nd.
Central Nagano Prefecture is a region where seismic activity is naturally active.
Even if earthquakes continue in the same epicenter area, please remain calm and continue your usual preparations.
During the late night hours, there were also two earthquakes in western and eastern Aichi Prefecture with a 5-minute interval.
All of these were small-scale, and there are no reports of damage.
Disaster Prevention History and Calendar: The 1982 Nagasaki Great Flood
Tomorrow, July 23, marks the 44th anniversary of the Nagasaki Great Flood that occurred in 1982 (Showa 57).
From the evening to the night of July 23, concentrated heavy rain fell in the southern part of Nagasaki Prefecture, causing immense damage with 299 people dead or missing, primarily in Nagasaki City.
In Nagayo Town, a record-breaking 187 millimeters of rain per hour was observed, which was the highest intensity recorded in Japan at the time.
A characteristic of this flood was the extremely short time between the start of the rain and the occurrence of the damage.
People who had been spending their evening as usual were caught in mudslides and flooding by nightfall.
When heavy rain coincides with nighttime, the difficulty of evacuation increases significantly
Heavy rain during the evening commute overlaps with transportation disruptions, spreading the damage
Homes near mountains or rivers are at risk of landslides even during short periods of heavy rain
These lessons remain just as applicable today, 44 years later.
Making an early decision to evacuate while it is still light out is the most important point for protecting your life.
Daily Disaster Prevention Measures: Preparing for the Peak of Summer Heat
Late July marks the beginning of the hottest time of the year.
If a disaster occurs during this period, it is necessary to manage both evacuation life and heat countermeasures simultaneously.
As a heatstroke countermeasure during power outages, keep one battery-operated or rechargeable fan on hand
Stockpile drinking water, aiming for 3 liters per person per day, and keep extra during the summer
Add oral rehydration solution or salt tablets to your emergency go-bag
Disaster prevention supplies kept in vehicles deteriorate due to high temperatures, so check them once during July
Before returning home or traveling for summer vacation, confirm communication methods and meeting places with your family
Special attention is required for supplies stored in vehicles.
In midsummer, the temperature inside a car can reach nearly 70 degrees Celsius, making bottled water and food prone to spoilage.
Leaving mobile batteries in a car can pose a fire risk, so please be sure to take them with you.
We also recommend reviewing your preparations for shelter life to ensure they are suitable for summer.
Even just adding small, lightweight items like cooling towels or portable sunshades can reduce the burden of life in a shelter.
Summary
There were 9 earthquakes in the past 24 hours, with a maximum seismic intensity of 2, and no major damage was reported.
Tomorrow, July 23, marks 44 years since the Nagasaki flood disaster.
Summer heavy rains can cause conditions to deteriorate in a short amount of time.
Operating on the premise that evacuation at night is difficult, decide in advance on the criteria for starting your evacuation while it is still light out.
Please make this late July a time to address both heatstroke prevention and disaster preparedness together.