University of the Ryukyus
According to the Japanese government publication "Rika-Nenpyō" () or "Chronological Scientific Tables", the epicenter was 40 km south-southeast of Ishigaki Island with a magnitude of 7.4. According to the Mamoru Nakamura Laboratory, University of the Ryukyus, the earthquake was due to the activity of the fault east of Ishigaki and it is estimated that the magnitude was 7.5. Further simulation led to the activity of faults in the Ryukyu oceanic trench and the magnitude was 8.0. Also, there is a hypothesis that claims the magnitude was 8.5. The depth was . This trench lies between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The disparity in the amount of recorded shaking (maximum 4 JMA) and the size of the tsunami has led to the interpretation of this event as a tsunami earthquake.