Central Japan hit by strong earthquake

A powerful tremor struck central Japan at 1:04 a.m. Sunday, rupturing storefront glass and forcing residents to evacuate their homes. The seismic event left at least 22 people injured, according to local media reports.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency determined the earthquake reached a magnitude of 5.7. The United States Geological Survey recorded the event at magnitude 5.5. Smaller aftershocks followed the initial shock. The epicenter lay 40 kilometers beneath the surface in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Shaking was felt across a wide region, including Aichi Prefecture, Yamanashi, Gifu, and the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara. Hamamatsu city was also affected. Officials noted the most intense vibrations occurred in Aichi. The distance from the epicenter meant Tokyo did not feel the quake.

Video from local television stations captured the physical damage. Shards of glass littered city streets after store windows shattered. Inside one bookstore, books tumbled from shelves and piled high on the floor. Among the injured were individuals who fell while descending stairs to escape their buildings.

Transportation systems reacted to the event. Shinkansen bullet trains operated at reduced speeds in the affected zones. This precautionary measure allows crews to inspect tracks for potential structural damage caused by the shaking.

Ayataka Ebita, an official with the meteorological agency, advised the public to monitor for secondary hazards. He specifically cited mudslides, falling rocks, and the impact of rainfall. The agency warned that strong aftershocks could occur in the coming week, with the highest risk in the next two to three days.

Ebita stated that scientists detected no apparent change to the Nankai Trough plate. This geological feature is the site where a potential megaquake could strike. The agency continues to monitor the region for further seismic activity.