At 2 am, a loud alarm blares, followed by a 'shake'… Japan Ibaraki, Tokyo area with a magnitude 5 strong earthquake.

At 2 a.m. this morning, a harsh alert sound echoed through Japanese mobile phones, accompanied by an emergency message from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The agency warned of potentially strong tremors measuring 4 to 5 on the Richter scale. Moments later, residents in Tokyo's central districts felt intense shaking. By 2 a.m., the Japan Meteorological Agency reported a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in southern Ibaraki Prefecture.

The quake's depth was 70 km, and it did not generate a tsunami. However, a nearby earthquake, potentially of magnitude 6, caused intense shaking in surrounding areas. In Tokyo's Adacha District and parts of Kawasaki, residents felt tremors measuring 5, which can cause dishes and books to fall. In open areas, ground cracks could form, potentially triggering landslides.

This was the first time since a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Ibaraki in April and June, when Tokyo's central 23rd Ward experienced tremors of at least 5. A magnitude 5.9 earthquake in western Ibaraki in 2021 was the last such event. The Tokyo 23rd Ward and surrounding regions observed a "strong shaking" 2, indicating the tremors lasted longer and moved more slowly, posing a greater safety risk.

Buildings like high-rises might experience severe shaking, and unsecured objects could become hazardous. Professor Sakai Shin-Ichi of Tokyo University's Earthquake Research Institute explained to NHK that the earthquake's origin lies in a relatively deep area, causing the strong shaking observed across a wide area. The Japan Meteorological Agency cautioned about potential aftershocks measuring up to 5 in the coming week.