 On April 1, 2007, Niigata City became first city on the west coast of Honshu to become a government-designated city.In July 2007, the Chūetsu offshore earthquake, measuring 6.9 on Richter scale, rocked Niigata Prefecture.Though the earthquake was felt in the city, there was little damage, which allowed Niigata City to provide aid to the devastated areas.