Strong Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Japan, Leaving Over 20 Injured

A strong earthquake struck central Japan early Sunday morning, injuring at least 22 individuals and causing residents to flee buildings as store windows shattered across the affected region. According to local media reports, the tremors prompted people to evacuate structures and sent glass shards scattering onto city streets.

Japan's Meteorological Agency recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.7, while the US Geological Survey measured the event at magnitude 5.5. The seismic activity struck at 1:04 am local time at a depth of approximately 40 kilometres below the Earth's surface, with its epicentre located in Shizuoka Prefecture.

The shaking impacted a wide geographic area near Aichi Prefecture, including the neighbouring Shizuoka region, the tourist cities of Kyoto and Nara, Hamamatsu, and the prefectures of Yamanashi and Gifu. Television broadcasts from Japan captured footage of damaged storefronts, along with indoor scenes such as a bookstore where piles of volumes had fallen from shelves onto the floor. Among the reported injuries were people who fell down stairs while attempting to evacuate.

Due to the distance from Tokyo, the earthquake was not felt in the capital. However, experts and the Japan Meteorological Agency cautioned residents in central Japan to prepare for potential strong earthquakes in the upcoming week, noting that the risk remains particularly elevated over the next two to three days.