A moderate earthquake struck eastern Japan early on Sunday, shaking areas including the Tokyo region and injuring more than 30 people, most with minor injuries. Officials confirmed there was no tsunami risk associated with the event.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, with the epicentre located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of 70 kilometres. The United States Geological Survey measured it at 5.8. The region is known for frequent seismic activity.
At least 37 people were injured across five prefectures: 15 in Tokyo, nine in Saitama, eight in Kanagawa, four in Chiba, and one in Ibaraki. Most injuries occurred when residents, startled while sleeping, fell or struck furniture and doors as they rose in panic. One serious case involved an elderly woman in her 80s in Yokohama who fell from bed and sustained a hip injury.
A 23-year-old man in Tokyo’s Taito district described feeling a strong vertical jolt shortly after receiving a mobile alert while shopping. He expressed concern about merchandise potentially falling from shelves as the building shook.
Transportation was temporarily affected. Express trains serving Tokyo and Narita Airport, along with some local services in northeastern areas, experienced delays. However, Shinkansen bullet trains continued to operate normally.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that the government established a task force to evaluate any potential damage. The meteorological agency advised residents in the affected area to remain cautious of possible additional moderate aftershocks for about a week.
Emergency alerts were triggered on mobile phones, and significant shaking was felt in Tokyo. Traffic in nearby cities such as Mito and Saitama appeared largely unaffected. An underground water pipe ruptured in Tokyo’s Koto ward, causing water to spill onto the road, but the leak was promptly repaired.
Authorities reported no irregularities at nuclear power plants or facilities handling nuclear materials. The incident follows a stronger magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the Kumamoto area on Kyushu island the previous month, which resulted in 38 deaths and 364 injuries.
Emergency services and local governments continue to monitor the situation and support those affected.
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