The 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Shizuoka Prefecture and authorities are warning of possible violent aftershocks in the coming days.
Published on November 8, 2026
More than 20 people were injured after a strong earthquake shook central Japan, shattering store windows and sending people fleeing buildings, according to media reports and local authorities.
The magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck at 1:04 a.m. local time (4 p.m. GMT Saturday) Sunday at a depth of about 40 km (25 miles) in western Shizuoka Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
More than 20 people were injured in Aichi and Shizuoka prefectures, authorities said, according to the Kyodo news agency.
A large area near Aichi Prefecture was affected, including the city of Hamamatsu, the former capitals of Kyoto and Nara, as well as the prefectures of Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is located, and Gifu prefectures.
No tsunami warning was issued, Kyodo reported.
The earthquake was not felt in Tokyo, which is far from the epicenter.
Japanese television showed broken windows and shards of glass strewn across the streets. A bookstore found itself with piles of books falling from the shelves.
Some of the injured fell down stairs as they tried to flee, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Aftershock Warnings
The weather agency warned people to prepare for possible strong earthquakes in the coming week, particularly over the next two to three days.
“Be alert for mudslides, rockfalls and the possible effects of rainfall,” agency head Ayataka Ebita told reporters.
He added that no apparent changes had been detected so far in the Nankai Trench, an underwater ocean trench where two major tectonic plates meet beneath parts of Japan, where scientists believe a mega-earthquake could occur.
Some local train services were suspended, while Shinkansen bullet trains ran at slower speeds in affected areas as a precaution.
Trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, were delayed between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations after security checks, train operator JR Central said.
Gn world
