A preliminary magnitude 5.9 earthquake shook eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday morning, leaving more than 20 people injured across four prefectures, authorities reported.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake’s epicenter was in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. The United States Geological Survey, meanwhile, recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.8.
Of the total injured, nine were reported in Saitama, nine in Kanagawa, four in Chiba, and one in Ibaraki, according to officials from the respective prefectures. Most were injured by falling or hitting furniture or doors after the quake surprised them while they were sleeping and they got out of bed.
The quake caused delays in express trains connecting Tokyo with Narita Airport, as well as other local services in the northeastern regions. The Shinkansen bullet trains, however, continued operating normally, according to East Japan Railway Co.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reported that the government has established a task force to assess the extent of possible damage.
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“Today, around 2:00 a.m. local time, an earthquake with an epicenter in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture occurred, and strong shaking of up to seismic intensity level lower 5 was recorded in the 23 wards of Tokyo and in the prefectures of Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba,” Takaichi said in a post on X.
According to the JMA, no tsunami risk was generated. Initial data indicates a depth of 68 kilometers for the tremor.
Meanwhile, the Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no anomalies at approximately a dozen nuclear power plants and other facilities handling nuclear materials.
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