A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan on Sunday, including the Tokyo metropolitan area. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake originated in the southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of approximately 70 kilometers (42 miles). The United States Geological Survey registered a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 for the event.
Authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued following the tremor. Initial reports indicated no damage or injuries as a result of the earthquake. Public television broadcaster NHK showed footage of seemingly normal traffic conditions on roads in cities like Mito and Saitama, which were also affected by the shaking.
Japan is situated in one of the world's most seismically active regions. This recent event follows a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the Kumamoto area on Japan's southernmost island of Kyushu the previous month. That quake resulted in 38 fatalities, injured 364 people, destroyed over 1,500 buildings, and damaged nearly 20,000 others.