A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday, causing strong shaking across the Tokyo region and injuring at least 37 people, authorities said.
The earthquake struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, at a depth of about 68 kilometres, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The agency said there was no tsunami threat following the tremor.
Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that at least 37 people were injured, including one person who suffered serious injuries. One building in Saitama Prefecture was also damaged.
The earthquake was strongly felt in Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, including Ibaraki, Saitama and Chiba. Emergency alerts were issued to mobile phones as residents were warned of the powerful shaking.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government was taking measures to assess the situation and determine the extent of the damage.
She instructed officials to provide residents with timely and accurate information as authorities continued checking affected areas.
“I would ask residents in the areas where the shaking was particularly strong to remain vigilant for the possibility of another earthquake of a similar magnitude,” Takaichi said.
The warning reflects concerns about aftershocks, which can occur following a significant earthquake and sometimes cause additional damage.
Transport services were also affected. Some regional train operations in the Tokyo area were disrupted following the earthquake, although authorities continued assessing the impact on infrastructure.
Japan is highly vulnerable to earthquakes because it sits along several major tectonic boundaries. Strong earthquakes occur regularly, prompting the country to maintain extensive emergency response systems and strict building standards.
Officials continued inspections of buildings, roads and other infrastructure in areas where the shaking was strongest. Emergency teams were also monitoring reports of injuries and damage as information became available.
The latest earthquake caused significant concern among residents in and around Tokyo because of the strength of the shaking. Authorities urged people to remain cautious and follow emergency instructions if further tremors occur.
The government’s response focused on assessing damage, assisting those injured and ensuring that residents received reliable information.
Although there was no tsunami threat from Sunday’s earthquake, officials continued to monitor the situation closely as the possibility of additional tremors remained.
The incident again highlighted the risks faced by Japan’s densely populated eastern region, where millions of people live and work close to areas that experience frequent seismic activity.
