A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, in the early morning hours, injuring at least 37 people, officials said.
There was no tsunami threat.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake occurred in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of 70 kilometers, or 42 miles. This is an area of Japan prone to frequent earthquakes.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a preliminary magnitude of 5.8.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that at least 37 people were injured in the prefectures of Ibaraki, Chiba, and Saitama, northeast of Tokyo. The agency stated that more people were injured and that details about their condition and the circumstances of their injuries are still being determined.
The earthquake caused delays to express trains heading to Tokyo and Narita Airport, as well as other local trains in northeastern areas.
The government has formed a crisis team to assess the extent of possible damage, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on the social network X.
The Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority stated that there were no reported irregularities at nuclear power plants or other facilities handling nuclear materials.
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