Magnitude-5.7 Earthquake Shakes Central Japan, Injuring at Least 22

A strong earthquake struck central Japan early Sunday morning, injuring at least 22 people and causing physical damage across several prefectures. Local media reported that the quake shattered commercial windows and prompted residents to flee buildings.

Seismic Details and Affected Regions

The tremor occurred at 1:04 a.m. local time at a depth of approximately 40 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface in Shizuoka Prefecture. Japan's Meteorological Agency reported the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.7, while the United States Geological Survey measured it at magnitude 5.5.

The impact was felt across a broad area near Aichi Prefecture, including Shizuoka, Gifu, Yamanashi, and the historic cities of Kyoto and Nara. In Hamamatsu and Toyohashi, television footage displayed broken storefront windows and streets littered with glass. In Toyota, located within Aichi Prefecture, bookstore employees worked to clean up mounds of books knocked off shelves. The shaking was not felt in Tokyo.

Casualties and Service Disruptions

At least 22 individuals sustained injuries during the event. According to reports, several people were hurt after falling down stairs while attempting to evacuate buildings.

As a safety measure, Shinkansen bullet train operations were reduced to slower speeds in the impacted areas to guard against potential railway damage caused by the seismic activity.

Official Warnings and Geological Assessment

Japan's Meteorological Agency advised residents to prepare for potential aftershocks over the coming week, with elevated risk anticipated in the next two to three days. Meteorological official Ayataka Ebita urged the public to monitor for falling rocks, mudslides, and rainfall complications.

Ebita noted that no apparent changes were observed along the Nankai Trough plate, a region monitored by scientists for potential major earthquakes. Authorities continue to advise residents in earthquake-prone Japan to maintain emergency supplies, including bottled water, food, batteries, and walking shoes, and to prepare safety procedures.