Magnitude 5.9 quake strikes eastern Japan including Tokyo, disrupting trains

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 hit eastern Japan early Sunday, causing injuries in prefectures neighboring Tokyo and disrupting transportation, the weather agency and local authorities said, Report informs via Kyodo.

The 2:00 am quake, which originated in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of 68 kilometers, did not trigger a tsunami, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The temblor registered lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in parts of the prefecture as well as in central Tokyo. A lower 5 quake is defined by the agency as shaking that causes most people to be frightened and to hold on to something stable, while objects may fall from shelves.

The start of some train services was delayed following the quake, while some trains ran at reduced speeds, JR East and other operators.

Overall, 40 people were injured in the earthquake.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on social media that she had instructed officials to ascertain the extent of the damage from the quake and provide timely information to the public.

The weather agency urged the public to remain alert for an earthquake registering lower 5 on the seismic intensity scale over the next week, especially during the next two to three days.

Sunday's quake was felt across a wide swath of the country, including northeastern and central Japan.

The agency issued an emergency earthquake alert when the quake struck.