Fact-checking videos claiming to show New Year’s Day tsunami in Japan

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the western coast of Japan on New Year’s Day. The earthquake, which was followed by more than 100 aftershocks in the 24 hours since, has left at least 55 dead, according to the Associated Press. The Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a major tsunami warning for communities in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture, the first such warning in Japan since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands. People quickly began posting photos and videos to social media that they said were of the quake or following tsunami. According to initial data published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2024 earthquake’s highest tsunami wave was four feet tall and hit the town of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture. VERIFY fact-checked whether these videos are from the 2024 earthquake and tsunami. Read more: https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/world-verify/japan-new-year-2024-tsunami-earthquake-video-fact-check/536-643be395-8b28-4859-9124-b6c31a1a7ee1 ------------------------------ At VERIFY, we're answering your questions about what's true and false. Visit our website at verifythis.com If you've seen a viral claim online and you're not sure whether it's true, let us know! Email questions@verifythis.com or text us at 202-410-8808. Find us on social @verifythis. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifythis Twitter: https://twitter.com/VerifyThis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verifythis/