A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck western Shizuoka Prefecture at 1:04am local time on Sunday, injuring more than 20 people and forcing some train services to stop while shinkansen bullet trains slowed in affected areas.
No tsunami warning was issued, but the quake still sent broken glass across streets and left a bookstore floor covered in fallen books, underscoring how much damage a shallow overnight jolt can do even without a coastal threat. Japanese television showed shattered shop windows, and some of the injured were hurt when they fell on stairs as they tried to flee.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said people should be ready for possible strong quakes in the coming week, especially over the next two to three days. Ayataka Ebita said no apparent change had been detected so far in the Nankai Trough, where scientists say a megaquake could occur, but the agency still warned of mudslides, falling rocks and the possible effects from rainfall.
The shaking was felt across a wide area near Aichi Prefecture, including Hamamatsu, Kyoto, Nara, Yamanashi and Gifu, but it was not felt in Tokyo. Trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen line were delayed between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations after safety checks, and other local rail services were also suspended as officials moved to avoid adding risk to a region already on alert.
The immediate damage is clear enough: injuries, broken storefronts and transport disruption. What remains unresolved is how serious the injuries were and how long the rail slowdowns will last, even as the strongest aftershock risk is expected in the next two to three days.
