Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Strikes Central Japan, Injuring at Least 22

A strong earthquake struck central Japan in the early hours of Sunday, shattering store windows, sending residents fleeing into the streets and leaving at least 22 people injured, according to local media reports.

Japan's Meteorological Agency measured the quake at magnitude 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey put it at 5.5. Smaller aftershocks were recorded following the main tremor.

The quake struck at 1:04 a.m. local time at a depth of about 25 miles beneath Shizuoka Prefecture. The affected area was wide, spanning Aichi Prefecture and the city of Hamamatsu, the historic cities of Kyoto and Nara, and the nearby prefectures of Yamanashi, home to Mount Fuji, and Gifu. The shaking was not felt in Tokyo, which lies far enough from the epicenter.

Television footage showed shattered shop windows and scattered shards of glass along the streets, while a bookstore was left with piles of books that had tumbled from their shelves. Officials said the injuries included people who fell on stairs while attempting to flee. Seismic assessments indicated the strongest shaking occurred in Aichi Prefecture.

The Meteorological Agency urged residents to prepare for the possibility of further strong tremors over the coming week, particularly in the next two to three days. Agency official Ayataka Ebita told reporters that people should remain alert for mudslides, falling rocks and possible effects from rainfall. He added that no apparent change had been detected so far in the Nankai Trough plate, a zone where scientists say a major earthquake could potentially occur.