5.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan, Leaving at Least 24 Injured
JAPAN — November 8, 2026 — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early Sunday morning, injuring at least 24 people, damaging buildings and briefly disrupting train services.
The earthquake hit at 1:04 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in Shizuoka Prefecture, about 41 kilometers (25 miles) below the surface, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The strongest shaking was recorded in parts of neighboring Aichi Prefecture, where residents were awakened by the tremor. Some rushed outside as furniture shook and objects fell from shelves.
At Least 24 People Injured
Local media reported at least 24 injuries across the affected region. Most were described as minor, although several people required hospital treatment.
Among those injured was a woman in her 90s who reportedly hurt her shoulder after falling from bed during the earthquake.
In Toyohashi, windows shattered at a car dealership, while stores in other communities reported merchandise falling from shelves. Authorities began inspecting buildings and infrastructure shortly after the shaking stopped.
The earthquake also affected transportation. Some Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended or delayed while railway operators checked the tracks for possible damage.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or widespread destruction, and no tsunami warning was issued.
Residents Warned to Expect Aftershocks
Japan’s Meteorological Agency urged residents to remain cautious over the coming days, warning that additional earthquakes could occur, particularly within the first two or three days.
People living near steep slopes were also advised to watch for falling rocks and landslides.
Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet.
Sunday’s earthquake struck a region already closely monitored because of its proximity to the Nankai Trough, an area associated with the risk of a major future earthquake.
However, Japanese authorities said the latest tremor did not indicate any unusual change in the risk of a large Nankai Trough earthquake.
Emergency teams continued assessing damage as residents returned to their homes and transportation services gradually resumed.
Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency; AFP; The Japan Times; Channel NewsAsia, November 8, 2026.
By NJ RADAR Team