A moderate earthquake of magnitude 5.9 shakes eastern Japan. No tsunami alert is issued

A moderate earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck eastern Japan early Sunday, causing injuries to over 30 people, primarily in the Tokyo area. Officials reported that the majority of the injured were lightly injured, with some falling down or hitting themselves against furniture due to being caught off guard by the quake while sleeping.

No tsunami alert was issued as there was no danger of one. The quake had its epicenter in southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 70 kilometers, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 and a USGS recorded magnitude of 5.8. At least 37 people were injured across five prefectures, with injuries ranging from minor to a serious hip fracture suffered by an 80-year-old woman.

The quake caused delays to some trains but Shinkansen bullet trains continued to operate normally. The government set up a task force to assess potential damage, and the Japan Meteorological Agency advised residents to exercise caution against another possible moderate earthquake for about a week.