An early morning earthquake centred in southern Ibaraki Prefecture has left at least 37 people with minor injuries and caused disruptions across the Tokyo metropolitan region.
A significant earthquake measuring magnitude 5.9 struck the area south of Tokyo in the early hours of Sunday, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency. The US Geological Survey provided a slightly lower estimate of 5.8 magnitude. The tremor occurred at approximately 2am local time with its epicentre located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of 68 kilometres.
At least 37 people sustained minor injuries from the quake, according to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The most serious reported case involved an elderly woman in her 80s from Yokohama, located south of Tokyo, who fell and injured her hip while attempting to leave her bed following the tremor. A building in Saitama, north of the capital, also sustained minor structural damage. Authorities are investigating whether a water main rupture in Tokyo's neighbourhoods was connected to the earthquake.
The quake triggered Japan's warning systems, with public announcements and sirens alerting residents across affected areas, and mobile phones receiving emergency notifications. Regional train services operated by East Japan Railway Company experienced disruptions on Sunday morning as a result. Japanese authorities ruled out any tsunami risk from the earthquake.
Meteorological officials have cautioned that the region faces increased hazards in the coming period. Heavy rainfall that had struck the area on Saturday may have loosened soil, raising the risk of landslides, the agency warned. Additionally, authorities indicated that stronger aftershocks could occur in the days following the initial tremor.
