A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 struck central Japan early Sunday, centered in western Shizuoka Prefecture.1,4
The quake hit at 1:04 a.m. local time Sunday, or 16:00 GMT Saturday, and shook a wide area, breaking store windows, knocking books from shelves and sending people fleeing buildings into streets scattered with glass. Early accounts differed on the number of injured, and Shinkansen bullet trains ran at slower speeds in the affected areas as a precautionary measure while the Japan Meteorological Agency warned residents to prepare for possible strong quakes in the coming week.2,3,4
Japan's Meteorological Agency put the magnitude at 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it at magnitude 5.5. The agency placed the focus about 25 miles, or about 40 kilometers, below the earth's surface in Shizuoka Prefecture. Aichi and Shizuoka are neighboring regions, and smaller aftershocks followed the main shock.1,2,4
A wide area near Aichi Prefecture felt the shaking, including the city of Hamamatsu, the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, and the nearby prefectures of Gifu and Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is located. Official seismic assessments said the strongest shaking was felt in Aichi, while the distance was great enough that the quake was not felt in Tokyo.2,3,4
Japanese television footage showed shattered store windows and shards of glass scattered across streets, and a bookstore left with mounds of books that had flown or fallen from shelves. Photographs from Toyohashi in Aichi Prefecture showed broken windows at an imported-car dealership, and a photograph showed an employee crouching amid books fallen from shelves following the earthquake.2,3,4
ABC News reported Japanese media described dozens of injuries, and The Japan Times described dozens of injuries, while local media said at least 22 people were injured. Kyodo reported, citing authorities, that more than 20 people were injured in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures. The injured included people who fell on stairs as they tried to flee buildings during the shaking.1,2,3,4,5
Train service was disrupted as a precaution. Sometimes quakes can damage the railways the trains run on. The Shinkansen bullet trains ran at slower speeds in the affected areas, and some local train services were suspended. Rail operator JR Central said trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, were delayed between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations after safety checks were carried out.2,4
The Meteorological Agency warned people to brace for possible strong quakes in the coming week, especially in the next two to three days. "Please be on the lookout for mudslides, falling rocks and the possible effects from rainfall," agency official Ayataka Ebita told reporters.2,4
Ebita said no apparent change had been detected so far in the Nankai Trough, the underwater ocean trench where two major tectonic plates meet under parts of Japan. Scientists say a megaquake could occur there.2,4
Kyodo reported that no tsunami warning was issued after the quake.4
Japan is located in an area prone to earthquakes, and authorities frequently instruct people to stock up on bottled water, food and batteries, have plans ready to hide under tables and keep comfortable walking shoes at hand.2
