According to the information released by the Japan Meteorological Agency, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the eastern part of Japan at 2:00 am local time on Sunday, August 23. The seismic intensity in Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures was recorded as weak 5 (with the highest level being 7).
The Japan Meteorological Agency estimates that the epicenter of the earthquake was located in Ibaraki Prefecture at a latitude of 36.0 degrees north and a longitude of 140.1 degrees east, with a depth of 70 kilometers.
Areas such as Adachi Ward in Tokyo, parts of Ibaraki Prefecture, Saitama, and some areas of Chiba Prefecture experienced weak 5 seismic intensity.
The earthquake affected a large area of Japan, including the northeastern and central regions. The Meteorological Agency has issued an earthquake warning for this event but has not issued a tsunami warning.
Authorities in the affected areas are working to confirm whether the earthquake has resulted in casualties or property damage. A water pipe burst in the Kiyosumi area of Koto Ward in Tokyo, but it is currently unclear if it was caused by the earthquake.
According to reports from the Kyodo News Agency,
The fire department in Saitama City reported that two people were injured in the earthquake.
This is the latest in a series of recent earthquakes in Japan. Kumamoto Prefecture experienced a strong magnitude 7 earthquake on July 28, resulting in at least 38 deaths and nearly 100 injuries. The earthquake caused extensive damage, including road fractures, building collapses, and an explosion at Aeon Mall in Kashima. Over 200 aftershocks occurred within 24 hours of the main quake.