5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan: 5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Tokyo and Eastern Japan

5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan: Eastern Japan was shaken by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake early Sunday, with tremors felt across Tokyo and several surrounding areas. The sudden movement caused buildings to sway and prompted concern among residents.

The earthquake was recorded in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, an area that frequently experiences seismic activity. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake originated about 70 kilometres below the surface.

Other monitoring agencies recorded a slightly lower magnitude. The German Research Centre for Geosciences and the United States Geological Survey both estimated the earthquake at 5.8, with the epicentre located deep beneath the region near the eastern coast of Honshu.

The tremors caused disruptions in parts of Ibaraki, Chiba and Saitama. Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that five people were injured. Power outages were also reported in some areas, while railway services faced delays.

Express trains serving Tokyo and Narita Airport were among the services affected, along with local trains operating toward northeastern parts of the country. Despite the strength of the earthquake, authorities did not issue a tsunami warning.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a task force had been established to assess the impact of the earthquake. She urged residents to remain calm while authorities continued checking for damage and possible risks.

The latest tremor comes after another major earthquake struck the Kumamoto region of Kyushu about a month earlier. That 7.1 magnitude quake reportedly killed 38 people and injured 364 others, while thousands of homes were damaged and many residents were forced to leave their homes.