Hokkaido (Rajeev Sharma): A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off Japan’s northern Hokkaido prefecture on Sunday evening, hours after another powerful earthquake near Tokyo left more than 40 people injured and disrupted transport services.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the latest earthquake struck at around 10:45 pm local time at a depth of approximately 40 kilometres.
The earthquake registered an intensity of 4 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 7. No tsunami warning was issued following the tremor.
Second Earthquake To Hit Japan On Sunday
The Hokkaido earthquake was the second significant seismic event reported in Japan on Sunday.
Earlier at around 2 am, a preliminary magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the eastern part of the country. The quake originated in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of around 68 kilometres and was strongly felt across Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures.
The morning earthquake registered lower 5 on Japan’s seven-point seismic intensity scale in parts of Ibaraki, Saitama and Chiba prefectures, as well as areas of central Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency subsequently cautioned residents about the possibility of earthquakes of similar intensity in the coming days.
Over 40 Injured In Morning Earthquake
More than 40 people were reportedly injured following the 5.9-magnitude earthquake, with cases reported from Tokyo and several neighbouring prefectures.
Local fire departments reported injuries in Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba, among other areas. Those injured reportedly included a young man and a woman in her 70s in Saitama.
In Tokyo’s Koto Ward, a water pipe ruptured following the earthquake. Authorities were examining whether the damage was directly caused by the tremor.
According to the JMA, an earthquake registering lower 5 on the country’s seismic intensity scale can cause significant shaking, with people likely to feel frightened and seek support from stable objects. Items may also fall from shelves.
Train Services Disrupted After Earthquake Near Tokyo
The early morning earthquake also affected transportation across parts of Japan.
Several train services were delayed, while others operated at reduced speeds as railway authorities conducted safety checks. Some express services operated by Tobu Railway were also temporarily halted.
The tremor was felt across a wide area covering parts of northeastern and central Japan.
Japan Government Sets Up Emergency Response Task Force
Following the morning earthquake, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had established an emergency response task force at the Prime Minister’s Office to assess the situation and coordinate the response.
Meanwhile, authorities continued monitoring conditions following the second earthquake off Hokkaido. The latest quake’s epicentre was reported around 125 kilometres south of Obihiro and approximately 36 kilometres south-southeast of Urakawa.
No tsunami warning was issued after the Hokkaido earthquake, and there were no immediate reports of major damage from the latest tremor.
