At least 5 injured as 5.9 magnitude earthquake shakes northeast Japan; no danger of tsunami
A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, resulting in at least five injuries and minor infrastructure disruptions. Authorities confirmed there is no tsunami risk and nuclear facilities remain stable.
Why it matters
The event highlights Japan's ongoing vulnerability to seismic activity and the effectiveness of its emergency response systems.
A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early on Sunday (August 23, 2026), injuring at least five people, officials said. There was no danger of a tsunami.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred in the southern Ibaraki prefecture, at a depth of 70 kilometres, an area of Japan prone to frequent quakes. The United States Geological Survey recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.8.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said at least five people were injured in Ibaraki, Chiba and Saitama prefectures northeast of Tokyo. The agency said more people were injured and details are being investigated, the FDMA said.
The quake caused delays to express trains serving Tokyo and Narita Airport and other local trains serving northeastern regions, but Shinkansen bullet trains were running normally, their operator East Japan Railway Company said.
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