Central Japan Earthquake Injures at Least 24, Reports Say

The latest

Updated Nov. 7, 2026, at 11 p.m. Central time / Nov. 8, 5 a.m. UTC.

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck western Shizuoka Prefecture early Sunday, shaking a broad area of central Japan and injuring at least 24 people in neighboring Aichi Prefecture, Yomiuri Shimbun reported via Livedoor News, citing local fire departments.

The quake occurred at about 1:04 a.m. Japan time on Nov. 8, or 4:04 p.m. UTC on Nov. 7. The Japan Meteorological Agency estimated a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 and later put its depth at about 41 kilometers. The U.S. Geological Survey measured it at magnitude 5.5; estimates from different agencies can differ.

Injuries and disruption

The Associated Press earlier cited local media reports of at least 22 injuries across the affected area. Yomiuri's tally of at least 24 in Aichi alone was published at 9:17 a.m. Japan time. Shizuoka Asahi Television separately reported three minor injuries in Shizuoka, citing fire officials. The figures are preliminary and could change as authorities assess the damage. Japanese television showed broken shop windows and books that had fallen from shelves, the AP reported.

The strongest recorded shaking reached upper 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale in Chita, Aichi Prefecture, according to the meteorological agency. That scale measures shaking at a location; magnitude describes the earthquake at its source. The AP reported that bullet trains in affected areas were slowed as a precaution, though travelers should check the operator for current service.

What officials are watching

In its bulletin, the meteorological agency said there was no tsunami concern from this earthquake. It warned that places shaken strongly could face falling rocks or slope failures and advised residents to be alert for further strong shaking for about a week, particularly in the first two to three days. Those warnings describe a possibility, not a prediction that another damaging quake will occur.

The agency said the quake occurred within the area associated with a potential Nankai Trough earthquake, but that its size did not indicate a particular change in the state of the plate boundary. It said monitoring would continue.

Key moments

• Nov. 8, 1:04 a.m. Japan time: the quake struck western Shizuoka, the meteorological agency said.
• Nov. 8, 9:17 a.m. Japan time: Yomiuri reported at least 24 injuries in Aichi, based on fire department information.

Where the earthquake struck

The star marks the approximate epicenter in western Shizuoka, based on the Japanese meteorological agency’s provisional coordinates.

Sources and visual credits

Japan Meteorological Agency · U.S. Geological Survey · Yomiuri Shimbun via Livedoor · Tokai TV via FNN · Associated Press via ITV · Shizuoka Asahi Television.

Hero and thumbnail: conceptual editorial illustration, not a photograph. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.