Japan earthquake injures 37 across five prefectures, triggers emergency alerts in Tokyo region as officials assess potential damage

A mild earthquake shook eastern Japan early on Sunday, including the Tokyo region, injuring more than 30 people, most of whom suffered minor injuries, according to officials.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 70 kilometres (42 miles) in southern Ibaraki prefecture, a region of Japan that frequently experiences earthquakes. A preliminary magnitude of 5.8 was reported by the US Geological Survey.

Prefectural officials and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that at least 37 people were injured in five prefectures in the area: 15 in Tokyo, 9 in Saitama, 8 in Kanagawa, 4 in Chiba and 1 in Ibaraki.

Most injured suffered falls during quake

According to officials, the majority of people who were injured suffered injuries from falling or colliding with doors and furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping and getting out of bed in panic.

The Japan Meteorological Agency advised people to take precautions in case of another possible moderate earthquake for over a week.

Quake triggers alerts across Tokyo region

Apart from causing strong tremors in Tokyo, the earthquake triggered emergency alerts on mobile phones. Traffic in neighbouring cities such as Mito and Saitama appeared to be normal.

According to the Nuclear Regulation Authority, nearly a dozen nuclear power plants and facilities handling radioactive materials reported no abnormalities.

A month ago, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island, killing 38 people and injuring 364 others.

Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s statement on X

"Around 2:00 p.m. today, an earthquake with its epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture occurred, and strong shaking with a seismic intensity of up to 5- on the Japanese scale was observed in Tokyo's 23 wards, Ibaraki Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, and Chiba Prefecture. There is no concern for a tsunami.

She further added,

“As the government, immediately after the earthquake, we established the Prime Minister's Office Contact Room at the Crisis Management Center in the Prime Minister's Office, and I have issued instructions for grasping the damage situation, providing timely and accurate information to the public, and other measures, and we are responding accordingly. To those in the areas where the shaking was strong, I ask that you continue to remain vigilant for the possibility of an earthquake of similar magnitude.”