Japan Earthquake: 5.9-Magnitude Quake Hits Eastern Japan, Tremors Felt in Tokyo; Several Injured

A preliminary 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday morning, sending strong tremors through the capital and surrounding prefectures, injuring several residents, and causing localized transit disruptions. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake occurred at 2:00 a.m. local time, centered in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of roughly 68 kilometers. Authorities confirmed that no tsunami warnings were issued following the seismic event.

The earthquake recorded a intensity reading of lower 5 on Japan’s 7-point seismic intensity scale across portions of Ibaraki, Chiba, Saitama, and central Tokyo, including Adachi Ward. At this intensity level, shaking is strong enough to startle residents awake and cause unanchored items to fall from shelves. Japan Earthquake: 7.1-Magnitude Quake Hits Southern Japan, Tsunami Alert Issued.

Local fire departments reported several injuries across regions neighboring the capital. In Saitama Prefecture, a young man and a woman in her 70s sustained minor injuries, while three people were injured in Kawasaki, just south of Tokyo. In Tokyo's Koto Ward, metropolitan officials were investigating whether a ruptured main water line was directly linked to the tremor.

Morning commuter networks experienced delays as rail operators conducted safety checks. East Japan Railway (JR East) and regional transit operators ran select early morning trains at reduced speeds. While operations on the Keisei Line connecting central Tokyo to Narita Airport resumed by 9:40 a.m., selected express services operated by Tobu Railway faced temporary suspensions.

Nuclear power plants in the region reported no operational abnormalities. Operators confirmed that facilities including the Tokai No. 2 nuclear station in Ibaraki and the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini plants in northeastern Japan continued normal operations without incident. Japan Earthquake Death Toll Climbs to 34 As Survivors Face Extreme Heat.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on social media that the government had established a liaison office at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center to monitor damage assessments and provide public updates. Meteorological officials urged residents to remain alert for potential aftershocks reaching a lower 5 intensity over the coming week, particularly during the next two to three days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2026 09:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).