Earthquake injures dozens, disrupts Tokyo transport as Japan warns of aftershocks

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday, injuring at least 37 people and disrupting transportation in the Tokyo region, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities.
The quake occurred at 2 a.m. local time in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, about 50 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, at a depth of 68 to 70 kilometers, the agency reported. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.8. Strong shaking was felt across Tokyo and surrounding prefectures, triggering emergency alerts on mobile phones and activating sirens.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported 37 injuries, most of them minor. In Yokohama, an 80-year-old woman suffered a serious hip injury after falling from her bed, according to local media. In Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, one building was damaged, officials said.
The earthquake disrupted regional rail services, with East Japan Railway Company reporting delays and temporary suspensions on several lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area while inspections were conducted. Shinkansen bullet trains operated normally, the company said. A water pipe rupture in Tokyo’s Koto ward was later repaired, and power outages affecting about 460 homes were restored by Sunday morning, TEPCO Power Grid confirmed.
Authorities, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, warned of potential aftershocks and an increased risk of landslides in the coming days, as heavy rain on Saturday may have destabilized the soil. The Nuclear Regulation Authority and TEPCO reported no anomalies at nuclear facilities, including the Tokai No. 2 plant in Ibaraki and the Fukushima plant.
Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent seismic activity. Last month, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture killed 38 people and damaged thousands of buildings.
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