M5.9 Quake Shakes Eastern Japan, Injuring Over 20 People A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday, injuring more than 20 people, most of them with minor injuries, according to officials. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake occurred at 2 a.m. in Ibaraki Prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometers, an area known for frequent seismic activity. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a slightly lower magnitude of 5.8. The tremor caused injuries across four prefectures, with nine people hurt in Saitama, nine in Kanagawa, four in Chiba, and one in Ibaraki. Officials noted that most injuries resulted from people falling or colliding with furniture and doors while caught off guard by the quake during sleep. A woman in her 80s sustained a serious hip injury after falling from her bed in Yokohama, Kanagawa, as reported by the Yomiuri newspaper. The earthquake disrupted train services, causing delays to express trains operating between Tokyo and Narita Airport, as well as local trains serving northeastern regions. However, Shinkansen bullet trains continued to run normally, according to East Japan Railway Co. The government established a task force to assess potential damage, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announcing the move on X. Emergency earthquake alerts were sent to mobile phones, and the tremor significantly shook Tokyo. NHK public television showed traffic in nearby cities like Mito and Saitama appearing largely unaffected. An underground water pipe ruptured in Tokyo’s Koto ward, spilling water onto roads, though repairs were completed by later Sunday. Approximately 460 homes in Tokyo experienced blackouts, but power was restored by Sunday morning, according to TEPCO Power Grid.#japan #tokyo #ibaraki_prefecture #saitama #kanagawa
