Tokyo, en.SERU.co.id — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture early Sunday, August 23, 2026, sending strong tremors across the Kanto region, including Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the earthquake occurred around 2 a.m. local time at a depth of about 68 to 70 kilometers. The United States Geological Survey recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.8.
The quake registered a maximum intensity of lower 5 on Japan’s seven-point seismic scale in parts of Ibaraki, Saitama and Chiba prefectures, as well as Tokyo’s Adachi Ward.
It was the first time in nearly five years that shaking of lower 5 or stronger was recorded in Tokyo’s 23 special wards. No tsunami warning was issued.
Injuries and Damage Reported
Authorities reported dozens of injuries across the Kanto region, mostly minor. One elderly woman in Yokohama suffered serious injuries after falling from her bed.
The earthquake also caused localized damage, including a partial ceiling collapse at Ushiku City Hall in Ibaraki and a ruptured water pipe that flooded a road in Tokyo’s Koto Ward. Several people were temporarily trapped in elevators.
Rail services were delayed or temporarily suspended as operators conducted safety checks. Most services, including Shinkansen bullet trains, resumed later in the morning.
Operators of the Tokai No. 2 nuclear power plant in Ibaraki and the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini facilities reported no abnormalities or changes in radiation levels.
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Japan Warns of Possible Aftershocks
The JMA urged residents in areas that experienced strong shaking to remain alert for aftershocks of lower 5 intensity for about a week, particularly during the next two to three days.
The agency said historical patterns indicate a 10 to 20 percent chance of another earthquake of a similar size during that period.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had established a task force to assess the damage and provide information to the public.
Southern Ibaraki has experienced lower 5-intensity earthquakes earlier this year, including in April and June.
