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Moderate earthquake strikes eastern Japan, injuring at least 37 people

The tremor disrupted regional transport and prompted warnings of potential aftershocks, but caused no tsunami threat or nuclear anomalies.

Updated Aug 24, 2026 · 02:15 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • A moderate earthquake centered in southern Ibaraki prefecture shook eastern Japan and the Tokyo region early Sunday.
  • At least 37 people suffered injuries across five prefectures, primarily sustaining light injuries from falls and colliding with furniture.
  • Regional express and local rail lines faced delays, while bullet trains ran normally and nuclear facilities reported no issues.
  • Meteorological authorities warned residents to remain vigilant for another potential moderate quake over the coming week.

Key facts

  • The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 at a depth of 70 kilometers, while the U.S. Geological Survey measured the temblor at 5.8.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Prefectural authorities and disaster management officials reported 37 injuries across Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Ibaraki prefectures.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Express services connecting Tokyo with Narita Airport and local lines experienced delays, though Shinkansen bullet train operations were unaffected.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that roughly a dozen nuclear power plants and related facilities showed no abnormalities.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the central government created a task force to evaluate the scope of the damage.[ABC News · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The full extent of structural and localized damage remains under review by government task force teams.[ABC News · Associated Press]
  • The exact magnitude differs slightly between agencies, with the Japan Meteorological Agency reporting a preliminary 5.9 and the U.S. Geological Survey estimating 5.8.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Sources