A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early Sunday, November 8, injuring dozens of people, damaging buildings and disrupting train services, according to Japanese authorities and local media.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit western Shizuoka Prefecture at 1:04 a.m. local time, with its epicenter at a depth of 41 kilometers. No tsunami warning was issued.
The strongest shaking, reaching an upper 5 on Japan's seven-level seismic intensity scale, was recorded in Chita City in neighboring Aichi Prefecture. It was the first time since March 1997 that an earthquake of that intensity had been observed in the area.
Tremors were also recorded at lower 5 in parts of Aichi, Shizuoka, Gifu and Nagano prefectures.
Authorities reported no deaths, but at least 16 injury reports were initially received in Aichi, most involving minor injuries. Local media later reported at least 24 people hurt across Aichi and Shizuoka.
Among those injured were an elderly woman who fell from her bed and hurt her shoulder, as well as residents who sustained head injuries and a fractured ankle.
The earthquake also shattered storefront windows, sent merchandise falling from shelves and caused water supply disruptions in parts of Aichi. Officials in Higashiura Town reported water gushing from manholes.
Train services, including Shinkansen bullet trains, were temporarily delayed or suspended as authorities assessed the impact of the tremor.
The shaking was reportedly felt as far west as Osaka, where local media said a foreign resident was hospitalized after falling from a second-floor apartment.
Following the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency urged residents in affected areas to remain alert for further seismic activity over the next week or so. Officials also warned of possible falling rocks and landslides, particularly if heavy rain occurs.
Agency official Ebita Ayataka said the earthquake was believed to be different from the anticipated massive Nankai Trough earthquake, although it occurred within the projected epicentral region. Authorities will continue monitoring seismic activity.
Meanwhile, a separate magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region in southwestern Japan at 10:53 a.m. Sunday. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.
Japan is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to frequent earthquakes. The country remains deeply affected by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, which left around 18,500 people dead or missing and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
