A magnitude-5 earthquake struck eastern Japan on Wednesday morning, causing no serious harm but prompting warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency of possible aftershocks of similar strength in the coming days. The agency urged residents to remain alert for about a week.
The earthquake occurred at 10:06 am local time and registered lower 5 on Japan's shindo seismic intensity scale, which measures the strength of ground shaking at a location. The epicentre was in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of approximately 48 km. Tremors were felt most strongly in Tochigi and Ibaraki, with noticeable but less intense shaking in Fukushima, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures.
Officials confirmed no tsunami risk, and early checks revealed no injuries or major damage. However, several bullet train services between Sendai and Tokyo were delayed for hours due to safety inspections. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reported no irregularities at nuclear facilities and stated that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had directed officials to collaborate with local authorities to monitor the situation and keep the public informed.
Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where multiple tectonic plates converge, making it prone to frequent earthquakes. The country is known for its rigorous earthquake preparedness, including strict building regulations and regular drills. The 2011 Fukushima disaster, a magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami that killed over 18,000 people and caused a nuclear meltdown, remains a stark reminder of the risks.
