Magnitude 5.9 earthquake strikes eastern Japan, injuring over 20

Tremor hits capital region

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday, injuring more than 20 people and disrupting transportation networks, with its epicenter located in the southern part of Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 68 kilometers. No tsunami warning was issued following the quake, which registered lower 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale of 7 in parts of Ibaraki prefecture and central Tokyo.

Injuries and transport chaos

More than 20 people sustained injuries across the region, among them a young man and a woman in her 70s in Saitama prefecture north of the capital, as well as nine people in Kanagawa and four in Chiba prefectures, according to local authorities. Several train services experienced delays and reduced speeds following the tremor, while Tobu Railway suspended some express operations entirely.

Nuclear safety checks

Authorities confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at the Tokai No. 2 nuclear power plant in Ibaraki prefecture or at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini facilities in northeastern Japan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed officials to determine the full scale of the damage and provide timely information to the public, while the weather agency urged residents to remain vigilant for additional tremors registering lower 5 on the seismic scale over the next week, particularly during the next two to three days. The tremor was felt across a wide area of the country, including northeastern and central Japan.