Magnitude 5.9 earthquake shakes Tokyo and Kanto region
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck around 2 a.m. on August 23 in Tokyo and the wider Kanto region of Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency urged residents of areas that experienced strong shaking to remain vigilant over the possibility of another earthquake of similar magnitude during the coming week, The Japan Times reports.
Epicenter and intensity of shaking
The earthquake's epicenter was located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, while its focus was at a depth of 68 kilometers. In Tokyo's Adachi Ward, as well as parts of Ibaraki, Saitama and Chiba prefectures, the shaking reached lower 5 on Japan's seven-level shindo intensity scale.
Intensity level 4 was recorded in other areas of Tokyo and in Tochigi, Gunma and Kanagawa prefectures. According to the meteorological agency, lower 5 shaking can cause objects to fall from shelves and force people to hold onto something for support. In some areas, the tremors lasted up to a minute, while mobile phones sounded early warning alerts shortly beforehand.
Casualties and transport
According to NHK, at least nine people were injured in Saitama Prefecture, while another eight were injured in Kanagawa Prefecture. In the city of Ushiku in Ibaraki Prefecture, part of a ceiling collapsed in the city hall building. Minor injuries and cases of people becoming trapped in elevators were also reported in Tokyo.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
No tsunami warning was issued. The earthquake caused delays on a number of railway lines in the Kanto region, including the Joban, Keihin-Tohoku, Shonan-Shinjuku, Musashino, Chuo-Sobu and Sotobo lines, JR East said.
Authorities' response
Level 2 long-period ground motion was observed in Tokyo's 23 wards, as well as in Saitama and Chiba prefectures. Such slow and prolonged shaking can cause high-rise buildings to sway significantly; at level 2, people may find it difficult to stand, while furniture and other objects may move or fall.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said authorities were assessing the extent of the damage, and a liaison office was established at the Crisis Management Center at the prime minister's office. She also instructed officials to provide the public with timely and accurate information.
