TOKYO, Nov 8 — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 struck central Japan early today, injuring at least 20 people in Aichi Prefecture, authorities said.
Kyodo News reported that the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the 1.04am tremor originated in western Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of about 40km and registered upper 5.0 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale in Chita.
An intensity of lower 5 was recorded in parts of Aichi, Nagano, and Gifu prefectures. The government set up a liaison office to respond to the quake.
The JMA added that the quake posed no tsunami risk. It was reported that the earthquake was felt in several neighbouring prefectures, including Gifu, Nagano, and Yamanashi.
In Aichi, the Fire Department reported that two people in Toyota City were likely injured following the tremor.
Authorities urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant for further seismic activity, warning that aftershocks could occur in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Tohoku Shinkansen high-speed train services between Tokyo and Iwate were disrupted, and operators later reported that services had resumed.
Japan is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterised by frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
