A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan early on November 8, 2026, injuring at least 22 people and sending residents fleeing from shaking buildings as store windows shattered.
Shaking Intensity Across Prefectures
The earthquake struck at 1:04 a.m. local time, originating at a depth of approximately 40 kilometres in western Shizuoka Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. While the JMA measured the magnitude at 5.7, the United States Geological Survey recorded it at 5.5.
The strongest shaking reached an upper 5 on Japan’s seven-level seismic intensity scale in Chita City within Aichi Prefecture, marking the first time jolts of that scale were recorded in Aichi since March 1997. In western Shizuoka Prefecture, the upper 5 intensity was recorded for the first time since record-keeping began in 1919. Lower 5 intensity was observed across parts of Aichi, Shizuoka, Gifu, and Nagano prefectures, with tremors felt across a wide area including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Mie, and Shiga.
Smaller aftershocks followed the main tremor near Mount Fuji, and emergency services and local authorities continued assessing the damage across affected regions, which extended near Hamamatsu, Yamanashi, and Gifu. Officials noted that the quake was far enough from Tokyo that the shaking was not felt in the capital.
Injuries and Infrastructure Disruption
At least 22 people sustained injuries, many resulting from falls on stairways during evacuation or from being struck by falling objects and shattered storefront glass. Japanese television broadcasts showed glass scattered across streets and mounds of books thrown from shelves inside a bookstore in Toyota City.
Among the injured in Toyota City were a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s who fell and hit their heads, subsequently being transported to a hospital with conscious head injuries. Fire departments across Aichi Prefecture documented at least 16 injuries, while fire and police departments in Shizuoka Prefecture logged at least four injury reports alongside incidents involving water gushing out of manholes and localized water supply cutoffs.
Transportation networks experienced immediate precautionary measures. Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains operated at reduced speeds between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations following safety checks by rail operator JR Central. Local railway services and conventional rail lines also experienced suspensions from the first train of the day while operators conducted track inspections.
Meteorological Agency Warns Residents of Potential Strong Aftershocks
Authorities reported no tsunami threat following the tremor. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned residents to remain vigilant for potential strong aftershocks reaching around upper 5 intensity over the coming week, particularly during the initial two to three days.
Please be on the lookout for mudslides, falling rocks and the possible effects from rainfall,
Ayataka Ebita, an agency official
Addressing questions regarding the Nankai Trough, agency officials stated that while the tremor occurred in the projected epicenter area, it is believed to be different from the anticipated massive earthquake. Ayataka Ebita told reporters that no apparent changes had been detected in the Nankai Trough plate, where scientists monitor conditions for potential massive seismic events.