Magnitude 5.7 earthquake hits central Japan, more than 20 injured
More than 20 people have been injured in a strong earthquake in central Japan. Shop windows shattered in the tremor, and frightened people rushed out of buildings.
According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, the earthquake struck the western part of Shizuoka prefecture at 1:04am local time on Sunday. It measured 5.7 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre about 40 kilometres below the earth’s surface.
More than 20 people were injured in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures.
The quake shook a wide area around Aichi prefecture, including the city of Hamamatsu, the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, and Yamanashi prefecture, home to Mount Fuji. Tremors were also felt in Gifu prefecture.
No tsunami warning was issued after the earthquake. Because the epicentre was far away, no tremor was felt in Tokyo.
Images broadcast on Japanese television showed shop window glass shattered and scattered across streets. In a bookshop, books that had fallen from shelves piled up on the floor. Several people were injured after falling on stairs while rushing out in panic during the quake.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has warned of the risk of strong aftershocks. The agency said there is a risk of powerful aftershocks over the coming week, and advised people to stay alert, especially over the next two to three days.
Ayataka Ebita, an official of the agency, told reporters to stay alert about landslides, falling rocks and the possible effects of rainfall.
He also said no significant change has been detected so far in the Nankai Trough, the junction of two large tectonic plates beneath parts of Japan. Scientists fear an extremely powerful earthquake in this undersea trench in the future.
As a precaution after the earthquake, several local trains were temporarily suspended, and the speed of Shinkansen bullet trains was reduced in the affected areas.
Rail operator JR Central said that after safety checks, there were delays on the Tokaido Shinkansen line linking Tokyo and Osaka, on the section between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations.
