Earthquake hits Ibaraki prefecture and Tokyo, injuring 37 people

A significant earthquake struck the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, near Tokyo, early Sunday morning around 02:00 local time. Seismic intensity measurements varied among agencies, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reporting a magnitude of 5.9 at a depth of 68 kilometers, while the USGS estimated it at 5.8 and earlier reports from the EMSC noted a 5.7 magnitude event at 78 kilometers depth. The tremor was strongly felt throughout the Japanese capital and surrounding areas, triggering emergency warning systems.

The Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that 37 people sustained injuries during the incident. While one building in Saitama, north of Tokyo, suffered minor damage, there are no reports of widespread structural destruction. However, the East Japan Railway Company reported service disruptions to regional train lines. Authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued, though the JMA cautioned residents about the increased risk of landslides in the affected regions as they continue to assess the situation and respond to emergencies.