Strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 strikes Japan, meteorological agency says

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 hit central Japan early Sunday morning, causing significant damage and injuries, according to local media reports. The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded the quake at 5.7 magnitude, while the U.S. Geological Survey noted it as 5.5. Aftershocks were also reported across a wide area near Aichi Prefecture, including major cities like Hamamatsu, ancient capital cities Kyoto and Nara, Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is situated, and Gifu.

Footage from Japanese television showed shattered store windows and scattered glass on the streets, with a bookstore left with piles of books that had fallen off their shelves. Injuries ranged from people falling down stairs while trying to evacuate to more severe damage. The earthquake struck at 1:04 a.m. near Shizuoka Prefecture, approximately 40 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface.

Aichi and Shizuoka, neighboring prefectures, experienced the most intense shaking, though the quake was not felt in Tokyo due to the distance. Seismic assessments indicated the strongest impacts in Aichi. Bullet trains, including Shinkansen, were slowed in the affected areas as a precaution, as earthquakes can potentially damage railway tracks. Japan is known for its susceptibility to earthquakes, a common occurrence in the region.