A magnitude-5.7 earthquake struck western Shizuoka early Sunday, November 8, injuring more than 20 people, disrupting rail services and prompting warnings about possible aftershocks.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit at 1:04 a.m. local time at a depth of about 41 kilometers. The strongest recorded shaking was upper 5 on Japan’s seven-level intensity scale, in Chita, Aichi Prefecture. At least 24 people were reported injured in Aichi alone, according to a tally compiled by The Japan News.
Separate reports also recorded injuries in neighboring Shizuoka. Some people fell while trying to escape. The shaking shattered shop windows and sent books and other goods falling from shelves.
No tsunami warning was issued. Rail operators delayed Shinkansen services for safety inspections and suspended some regular train services. Local subway and private railway services in the Nagoya area were also delayed.
The meteorological agency advised people in areas of strong shaking to stay alert for about a week for another quake as strong as upper 5, particularly over the next two to three days. It also advised them to watch for falling rocks and landslides. The agency said the quake occurred within the area expected to be the source of a Nankai Trough earthquake.
It said the quake did not point to any particular change in conditions along the trough.