Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Hits Central Japan, Leaving at Least 22 Injured
A powerful 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Japan Sunday, causing 22 injuries and widespread property damage across Aichi and Shizuoka regions.
POLICY WIRE — Shizuoka, Japan — A powerful seismic event struck central Japan early Sunday morning, resulting in at least 22 injuries and significant property damage. Local media outlets reported that the tremors caused residents to flee from buildings and led to shattered storefronts across the region.
Data from the Japan Meteorological Agency measured the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey provided a slightly lower estimate of 5.5. Authorities noted several smaller aftershocks following the initial blast.
The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) beneath the surface in Shizuoka Prefecture. The event occurred at 1:04 a.m., and while the most violent shaking was recorded in neighboring Aichi Prefecture, the quake was far enough from Tokyo to go unfelt there.
The impact was felt across a broad territory, including the city of Hamamatsu and the historic capitals of Kyoto and Nara. Tremors were also reported in Yamanashi, the home of Mount Fuji, as well as Gifu.
Visual reports from Japanese television captured the aftermath, showing glass littering streets from broken shop windows. In one bookstore, books were found piled on floors after being shaken from shelves. The casualties includes individuals who fell down stairs while attempting to evacuate their locations.
In response to the seismic activity, Shinkansen bullet trains reduced their speeds through the affected zones to inspect for potential structural track damage. Japan remains a region highly susceptible to frequent seismic events.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)