Niantic has discontinued the "Pokemon Go" Lapras event in Japan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake penetrated Fukushima, Miyagi and other prefectures involve in the said event. Niantic made the announcement on their Twitter account the cancellation of the "Pokemon Go" event.
東北地方沿岸部の現時点の状況に鑑み、明日11/23までの予定だったラプラスの出現については、本日をもって終了とさせていただきます。皆様のご理解とご協力をお願いいたします。今後も引き続き東北復興のお手伝いを続けてまいります。
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) November 22, 2016
"In light of the current situation in coastal areas of Tohoku, we will wrap up the appearances of Lapras as of today," the "Pokemon Go" official account tweeted. "We seek the understanding and cooperation of everyone. We will continue to help with the reconstruction of Tohoku," the developers said. They further announced at 2:56 p.m. that the event will end early.
Niantic took caution in concerns of their "Pokemon Go" players after the earthquake prompted government officials and authorities to announce tsunami advisories. A heavy landfall that was caused by the earthquake has also destroyed Fukushima No.1's nuclear plant according to Japan Times.
The "Pokemon Go" Lapras event was supposed to attract tourists as they increased the spawns of the blue giant-water Pokemon. Niantic and the local government were hopeful to raise money all over the coastlines of the Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture together with all the affected areas of the March 2011 tsunami and earthquake.
Miyagi Prefecture saved over 30 million yen or US$290 for the "Pokemon Go" Lapras event. The Prefecture's officials were hopeful that the advertising on the PokeStops and the increased availability of the rare Pokemon, Lapras, would boost their tourism in different parts of Japan and nearby countries.
There are still no further announcement whether Niantic will continue the "Pokemon Go" Lapras events in the affected areas after it was ended early. Japan has been one of the locations with most active players of "Pokemon Go" since its release. Hopefully they would reinstate the event back to further help the affected areas of the latest earthquake.
