Magnitude 5.7 earthquake hits central Japan, dozens injured

A strong earthquake of preliminary magnitude 5.7 struck central Japan early Sunday, prompting authorities to activate emergency response measures. Japanese media reported that dozens of people were injured in the tremor.The earthquake struck at 1:04 am local time, with its epicentre in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of approximately 40 kilometres, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), as reported by Japanese daily The Mainichi.The tremor registered an intensity of upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture. Lower 5 intensity was recorded in parts of Aichi, Nagano and Gifu prefectures, indicating that the shaking was felt across a wide area of central Japan. Smaller aftershocks were also reported following the main tremor.Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that strong shaking was recorded in Chita City and said there was no tsunami threat.Taking to X, Takaichi wrote: "At around 1:04 a.m. today, an earthquake struck with its epicentre in western Shizuoka Prefecture, and strong shaking with a maximum intensity of upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale was recorded in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture.""There is no risk of a tsunami," she added.The prime minister said the government had established a liaison office at the Prime Minister’s Office Crisis Management Centre to monitor the situation and coordinate its response."I have also directed efforts to assess the extent of the damage and provide accurate information to the public, and we are doing everything we can to respond," Takaichi said.Urging residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant, she added: "I ask everyone in areas that experienced strong shaking to remain alert to the possibility of another earthquake of similar magnitude."Authorities are monitoring the situation and assessing the extent of the damage, while residents have been advised to remain cautious amid the possibility of further tremors.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.