Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes Southern Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan, Injuring Dozens

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan on Sunday morning, injuring dozens of people.

Initial reports from Japanese media put the number of injured at 37. Later figures cited by some outlets reached 45. The epicentre was in southern Ibaraki, northeast of Tokyo.

The quake occurred during the morning hours of August 23. Residents in the region reported strong shaking. Emergency services responded to calls for assistance related to injuries, most of which appeared non-life-threatening in early accounts.

No widespread reports of major building collapses or fatalities emerged in the immediate coverage. Japan’s strict building codes and earthquake preparedness measures limited the scale of structural damage relative to the magnitude.

The event adds to the seismic activity regularly recorded along the Pacific plate boundary that runs near the Japanese archipelago. Authorities monitored aftershocks and advised residents to remain cautious.

Transport and local services in the affected area were checked for disruption. Detailed damage assessments continued through the day.

Japan maintains one of the world’s most advanced earthquake early-warning and response systems. The rapid dissemination of information allowed people in the broader Kanto region to take protective actions where shaking was felt.