Japan earthquake of magnitude 5.7 injures at least 24 in Shizuoka By Carolina Costa
2 min read
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At least 22 people were injured when a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The epicenter lay in western Shizuoka Prefecture, about 40 kilometers below the surface, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). No deaths had been confirmed in the reports available so far.
Residents rushed out of homes and buildings as the shaking went on. Shop windows broke, sending glass across sidewalks and store corridors. Local media later counted at least 24 injured across Aichi and Shizuoka, citing the Chunichi Shimbun and Tokai Television. Tokyo did not feel the shaking directly.
Chita and nearby towns hit hardest by the shaking
The strongest shaking hit Chita, in Aichi Prefecture, where the JMA recorded an upper 5 on Japan’s seven-point seismic intensity scale. The agency said it was the strongest shaking in that area in about three decades. The US Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 5.5, slightly below the JMA’s preliminary estimate of 5.7.
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- Aichi: emergency officials counted 16 injuries, mostly minor.
- Shizuoka: at least three women needed medical care, one of them in her nineties after a fall from bed.
- Toyohashi: the windows of a car dealership were shattered.
- Toyota: a large bookstore saw merchandise fall from its shelves.
- Higashiura: temporary water supply problems were reported.
JMA warns of aftershocks for about a week
The JMA said there was no tsunami threat along the coast. It asked residents in the affected areas to stay on high alert for about one week, especially in the next two to three days, because strong aftershocks, falling rocks and landslides could follow, particularly when it rains.
Authorities advise households to prepare at home and to know where to shelter during new tremors. The recommended steps include the following.
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- Keep bottled water, non-perishable food and charged batteries at home.
- Choose a safe spot under sturdy tables for use during new tremors.
- Keep sturdy, comfortable shoes within reach for a quick exit.
- Check gas lines and building structures before moving back in.
Regional engineering teams are inspecting overpasses and slopes in the affected prefectures to check ground stability. Chubu Electric Power reported no abnormalities at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station in Shizuoka. Tokaido Shinkansen trains ran at reduced speeds between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations after safety checks by JR Central, and the JMA found no sign of change along the Nankai Trough, where scientists say a megaquake could occur.
