Japan: 23 injured in magnitude 5.9 earthquake
What's the story
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake jolted eastern Japan, including Tokyo, early on Sunday. The quake injured 23 people across four prefectures, Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba and Ibaraki, with most injuries being minor. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the epicenter was in southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 70km. The US Geological Survey recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 for the same quake.
Aftermath
Train services disrupted, power restored
The quake disrupted express trains to Tokyo and Narita Airport, and local trains in northeastern regions. However, Shinkansen bullet trains were unaffected, according to the East Japan Railway Company.
An underground water pipe in Koto ward ruptured, causing temporary flooding on roads.
Power outages affected around 460 homes in Tokyo but were restored by Sunday morning, as per TEPCO Power Grid.
Official actions
Task force formed to assess damage
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of a task force to assess possible damage from the earthquake.
The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no anomalies were reported at nuclear power plants or facilities handling nuclear materials.
This incident comes after a deadly magnitude 7.1 quake last month in Kumamoto, Kyushu, which killed 38 people and injured 364 others.