An earthquake measuring 6.6 Mw on the moment magnitude scale struck Iburi Subprefecture in southern Hokkaido, Japan, on 6 September 2018 at 3:08 a.m. JST.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) registered a magnitude of 6.7 Mj and a maximum intensity of 7 on the shindo scale.

The volcanic material is theorized to have caused landslides after being inundated during heavy rains due to its slippery nature.

No major damage was reported, but there were small disruptions to rail systems such as the Hokkaido Shinkansen and the Sapporo Municipal Subway.

All public transport, including rail, subway, and bus services was shut down in Hokkaido due to the loss of electricity and damages.

[14][27] The tourism industry in Hokkaido was hit hard by the immediate effects of the earthquake including delays and cancellations caused by the quakes' impact to transportation infrastructure; moreover, perceptions of the area as being dangerous due to aftershocks and general fear of earthquakes caused a decrease in tourism to the area.

The total impact of the earthquake was estimated to cost the tourism industry approximately 35.6 billion yen as of October 2018.

[31] Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced that 25,000 members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces would be deployed to Hokkaido to assist in disaster relief efforts.

After his visit, the prime minister announced that the government would allocate 540 million yen from reserves to aid in Hokkaido's recovery.

[33] The Japan national football team cancelled a friendly match scheduled for 7 September against Chile in the Sapporo Dome.

[34] Rescue teams from Aomori Prefecture and Tokyo traveled to Hokkaido by the Seikan ferry to assist in the relief efforts.

[38] Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Atsuma on 15 November to get in touch with the victims of the earthquake and landslides.

[39] South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in response to typhoons and the earthquake, sent a Twitter message to Shinzō Abe on the sixth of September stating: "I express my condolences to the victims of the Kansai typhoon and the Hokkaido earthquake, and I wish comfort to those who have lost their families or were injured."