A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday, shaking Tokyo and surrounding prefectures, injuring at least five people and causing disruptions to rail services, electricity and water infrastructure.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the earthquake occurred in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, at a depth of about 70 kilometres. The tremor was widely felt across the Tokyo metropolitan area but did not trigger a tsunami warning.
Authorities said five people sustained minor injuries, while emergency services were dispatched to assess damage in the affected regions.
Rail, Power and Water Services Disrupted
The earthquake temporarily disrupted operations on several railway lines serving the Tokyo region, with train services delayed as operators carried out mandatory safety inspections before resuming operations.
Officials also reported a burst water pipe in eastern Tokyo and a temporary power outage affecting around 460 households. Utility companies restored electricity in most affected areas after emergency inspections.
The Japanese government established a special task force to monitor the situation, assess potential damage and coordinate emergency response efforts with local authorities.
Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries because it lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet. The country experiences thousands of earthquakes every year and maintains one of the world’s most advanced earthquake monitoring and early warning systems.
Authorities said inspections of critical infrastructure, including transport networks and public utilities, were continuing, and no major structural damage had been reported immediately after the quake.