In brief
The 5.7‑magnitude tremor struck a depth of about 40 km at 1:04 a.m. local time on Sunday, leaving at least 20 injured in Aichi and Shizuoka. Authorities reported an upper‑5 seismic intensity in Chita City, halted some train services, and established a liaison office, while noting no tsunami warning or nuclear plant abnormalities.
A 5.7‑magnitude earthquake struck central Japan at 1:04 a.m. local time on Sunday, injuring more than 20 people in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures and upsetting rail schedules, as reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency and local press.
The quake recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale and originated at a depth of roughly 40 km beneath the surface of western Shizuoka, according to seismic assessments by the JMA.
Seismic intensity was rated upper‑5 on Japan’s seven‑level scale in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture, a level that can produce moderate damage to buildings.
No tsunami warning was issued following the event; ocean sensors detected no significant sea‑level rise in the affected coastal zones.
The operator of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant, Chubu Electric Power Co., confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at the facility during and after the quake.
Rail services were disrupted: local lines were suspended, and the Tokai Shinkansen bullet trains running between Shizuoka and Gifu‑Hashima stations were delayed for safety inspections.
In response, the central government convened a liaison office to coordinate emergency measures and information distribution among prefectural authorities.
Injuries were reported by different outlets: Xinhua and the Straits Times cited “more than 20” persons hurt, while the Saudi Press Agency and Mainichi used “at least 20.” The disparity reflects varying stages of the tally at the time of reporting.
Damage reports are preliminary. Local media mention “widespread” damage in some areas, yet detailed assessments of structural damage have not yet been released by official sources.
At this stage, the exact number of injuries and the full extent of infrastructural damage remain to be verified; authorities continue to gather data following the event.
