Earthquake rattles central Japan, over 20 injured

In the early hours of Sunday, just after 1 am local time, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake jolted central Japan. The tremor originated about 40 km (25 miles) beneath western Shizuoka prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

By the time emergency crews arrived, more than 20 people had been treated for injuries ranging from cuts to sprains. Most of the hurt were in Shizuoka and neighboring Aichi prefecture, with some victims slipping on stairs as they fled shaking buildings.

Streets in towns such as Hamamatsu turned into a glittering mess of broken glass; shop windows were smashed, and a local bookstore ended up with piles of books cascading onto the floor. Surprisingly, the quake was barely felt in Tokyo, which lies quite a distance from the epicentre.

Authorities did not issue a tsunami warning, and no major structural damage was reported beyond the shattered storefronts. However, officials cautioned residents to stay alert for strong aftershocks over the next few days, especially in the first 48 hours.

“Please be on the lookout for mudslides, falling rocks and the possible effects from rainfall,” warned Ayataka Ebita of the meteorological agency during a press briefing. So far, there’s been no noticeable shift in the nearby Nankai Trough, the undersea fault line that could one day generate a mega‑quake.

Transport was also hit. Some local train lines were temporarily suspended, and the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet‑train service ran at reduced speed between Shizuoka and Gifu‑Hashima after safety checks by JR Central.

Residents are being urged to keep emergency kits handy, stay tuned to official updates, and avoid unnecessary travel until the situation stabilises.