A moderate earthquake shook eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday. Over 30 people sustained injuries, primarily minor, as per official reports. The quake posed no tsunami threat.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, with the epicenter located in the southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 70 kilometers (42 miles). The U.S. Geological Survey noted a magnitude of 5.8.
Injuries were reported in five prefectures, impacting at least 37 people: 15 in Tokyo, nine in Saitama, eight in Kanagawa, four in Chiba, and one in Ibaraki. Many injuries occurred as individuals fell or collided with furniture or doors during the quake, which caught them off guard while sleeping. A woman in her 80s suffered a severe hip injury in Yokohama after falling from bed, as reported by the Yomiuri newspaper.
A 23-year-old man recounted to the Asahi newspaper his experience of a vertical jolt seconds after receiving an earthquake alert while shopping in Tokyo’s Taito district. He expressed concern about merchandise falling from shelves during the tremor.
Rail services experienced some delays, affecting express trains to Tokyo and Narita Airport, as well as local trains in northeastern regions. However, the East Japan Railway Co. confirmed that Shinkansen bullet trains operated normally.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that a government task force had been established to evaluate potential damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency advised local residents to remain cautious about potential moderate earthquakes over the following week.
Emergency alerts were triggered on mobile devices as the quake significantly shook Tokyo. NHK public television showed normal traffic conditions in nearby cities like Mito and Saitama. An underground water pipe rupture occurred in Tokyo’s Koto ward, causing water to gush onto the road, as shown in NHK footage. Repairs have since halted the leak.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no anomalies at nuclear facilities. Last month, the Kumamoto area on Japan’s southernmost island of Kyushu experienced a 7.1 magnitude quake, resulting in 38 deaths and 364 injuries.