In brief
A 5.7‑magnitude earthquake hit central Japan at 1:04 a.m. local time on Sunday, injuring at least 20 people in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures. The tremor, occurring about 40 km deep, produced an upper‑5 seismic intensity in Chita City, triggered train disruptions, and prompted the central government to set up a liaison office. No tsunami warning was issued and the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant reported no abnormalities.
A 5.7‑magnitude earthquake struck central Japan at 1:04 a.m. local time on Sunday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The epicenter lay in western Shizuoka Prefecture, about 40 km beneath the surface, and the quake left more than 20 people injured in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures.
The tremor reached an upper‑5 level on Japan’s seven‑level seismic intensity scale in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture, and caused local train services to be suspended. Reuters noted that Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains were delayed between Shizuoka and Gifu‑Hashima stations while safety checks were carried out.
Xinhua reported that the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Chubu Electric Power Co., detected no abnormalities, and that no tsunami warning was issued after the quake.
Xinhua also added that the central government set up a liaison office to coordinate the response to the earthquake, a detail not mentioned in the other outlets.
Disaster‑response officials said that emergency services were on hand and that the majority of injuries were mild. Authorities urged residents to remain cautious as after‑shocks continue.
Local news agencies highlighted that the tremor did not trigger any significant damage to infrastructure, and that damage reports were limited to broken streetlights and a few damaged commercial buildings.
