Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Hits Central Japan, Injuring at Least 20 People

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early on Sunday morning, 8 November 2026, shaking homes across several prefectures and injuring at least 20 people. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there was no threat of a tsunami.

The earthquake hit at 1:04 a.m. local time. Its epicentre was in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, at a depth of about 40 kilometres (25 miles), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The United States Geological Survey measured the quake slightly lower, at magnitude 5.5.

Strongest shaking in Aichi

The strongest shaking was recorded in Chita City, in Aichi Prefecture, where the intensity reached upper 5 on Japan’s seismic scale of zero to seven. That was the first jolt of that strength observed in Aichi since March 1997.

Shaking of lower 5 was also recorded in parts of Aichi, Shizuoka, Gifu and Nagano, and the tremor was felt as far away as Kyoto and Nara.

At least 20 people were injured in Aichi Prefecture, according to local authorities. In Tokoname City, a woman in her 50s fractured her ankle while evacuating. In Toyota City, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s fell and hit their heads; both were conscious when taken to hospital. A woman in her 90s in Shizuoka Prefecture was also hurt after falling from her bed.

The quake shattered store windows and sent people fleeing from buildings. The Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train ran at reduced speed between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima, causing delays while staff carried out safety inspections.

Why it matters

Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, so even a moderate quake can injure people and disrupt transport across a wide area. The upper-5 shaking in Aichi was the strongest there in nearly 30 years, and it struck in the middle of the night.

What happens next

The Japanese government has set up a liaison office to coordinate its response. At a news conference, Japan Meteorological Agency official Ebita Ayataka warned residents in the worst-hit areas to watch for further tremors and rain, because of the higher risk of falling rocks and landslides.

Authorities are still checking buildings, roads and railways for damage, and the injury count may rise as more reports come in.

Sources

• NHK World, “Magnitude 5.7 earthquake strikes central Japan”, 8 November 2026: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/news/20261108de72261/
• The Straits Times, “5.7 magnitude quake strikes central Japan, at least 20 injured in Aichi prefecture”, 8 November 2026: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/5-7-magnitude-quake-strikes-central-japan-at-least-20-injured-in-aichi-prefecture?ref=latest
• The Times of India, “Magnitude 5.7 earthquake hits central Japan, dozens reportedly injured”, 8 November 2026: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/magnitude-5-7-earthquake-hits-central-japan-dozens-reportedly-injured/articleshow/135648927.cms
• The Korea Times, “Strong earthquake with preliminary magnitude of 5.7 strikes Japan”, 8 November 2026: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20261108/strong-earthquake-with-preliminary-magnitude-of-57-strikes-japan

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.