Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Rattles Eastern Japan, Tokyo; No Tsunami Warning Issued

TOKYO: A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan, including the Tokyo metropolitan area, early Sunday, but authorities said there was no threat of a tsunami.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of about 70 kilometers (42 miles). The United States Geological Survey estimated the quake’s preliminary magnitude at 5.8.

There were no immediate reports of deaths, injuries or property damage following the tremor. The earthquake was felt in the Tokyo area, while public broadcaster NHK showed that traffic in nearby cities, including Mito and Saitama, appeared to be operating normally.

Japanese authorities did not issue a tsunami warning following the earthquake, and there were no immediate indications of significant disruption to infrastructure or public services.

Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries and regularly experiences seismic activity. The latest tremor comes after a stronger magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern island of Kyushu last month, killing 38 people and injuring 364 others. That earthquake also destroyed more than 1,500 buildings and damaged nearly 20,000 others.

Authorities continued to monitor the situation following Sunday’s earthquake for possible aftershocks or further developments.