Fact Check: Old images falsely linked to recent earthquake in Japan

A series of earthquakes rattled Japan on January 1, 2024. According to Japan’s Meteorological Office, the island nation was hit by as many as 155 earthquakes. The initial jolt was of 7.6 magnitude. As per the latest media report, the death toll has reached 62.

Amidst this, social media platforms are flooded with old videos and images claiming to show the recent quake. “My heartfelt condolences to the people of Japan amidst the 7.6 magnitude earthquake…May strength, kindness, and support surround you during this challenging time. Our global community stands with you,” wrote an X user who shared four images of destruction.

NewsMeter found that the images are old and do not show the visual destruction from the recent earthquake.

Photo 1

Upon a reverse image search of the first photo, we found it included in 21 unforgettable pictures of the Japan Tsunami published by National Geographic on March 15, 2011.

The Conversation published the photo on March 11, 2012. “The carpet of sludge and debris left by 2011’s tsunami wreaked havoc on paddy fields,” read the caption to the photo.

Photo 2

Upon a reverse image search of the second photo, we found it carried as a cover image in the syndicated feed of Associated Press published in India Today on April 16, 2016. It shows a damaged house after an earthquake in Mashiki, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan.

Associated Press published the image on the same date. “Damaged houses sit after an earthquake in Mashiki, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan Saturday, April 16, 2016. Powerful earthquakes a day apart shook southwestern Japan, as thousands of army troops and other rescuers on Saturday rushed to save scores of trapped residents before the weather turned bad,” read the caption to the photo.

Photo 3

National Public Radio (NPR) published the third photo on March 17, 2011, in an article titled “Japan’s Quake May Result In Huge Insurance Claims.”

“The wreckage of a house amid debris in Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture, in Japan,” read the images’s caption.

Photo 4

NBC News published the fourth photo in 2016 in a report titled “Japan Earthquake: Daylight Shows Extent of Damage After 9 Killed.”

“Residents walk past a house damaged by the earthquake in Mashiki,” read the caption to the photo.

CNN published thirty photos, including the viral one of the Japan Earthquakes in 2016.

Photo 5

Upon reverse image search of the fifth photo, we found it published on September 8, 2010, in a report by a New Zealand-based media organization named Stuff. As the report, the photo shows the aftermath of a quake in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Photo stock website Alamy published it on September 4, 2010. According to the website, the shockwaves of an earthquake have damaged a car park area in Kaiapoi, New Zealand

Hence, we conclude that the images do not show the visual of the destruction by the recent earthquake in Japan. The claim is misleading.