(Japan, 23rd) — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, at dawn. No abnormalities have been found at multiple nuclear facilities near the epicenter for the time being.
According to Kyodo News, the earthquake occurred at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday (August 23) in southern Ibaraki Prefecture (1:00 a.m. Singapore time), with a focal depth of approximately 70 kilometers. No tsunami will be triggered.
According to the Saitama City Fire Department, a teenage youth and a woman in her 70s suffered injuries to their arms or shoulders.
Parts of Ibaraki Prefecture, Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture, and Chiba Prefecture recorded seismic intensity lower 5 on the Japanese seismic scale. The Japan Meteorological Agency's seismic intensity scale ranges from 0 to 4, then lower 5, upper 5, lower 6, upper 6, and 7, for a total of 10 levels. The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that tremors of lower 5 intensity could cause items such as dishes and books to fall off shelves, and unsecured furniture may tip over.
Quoting electric power company sources, NHK reported that after the earthquake, Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants, Tokai Nuclear Power Plant, and Tokai Daini Nuclear Power Plant—located near the epicenter—showed no abnormalities for the time being. Radiation monitoring readings around the nuclear power plants have also not shown significant changes.
After the earthquake, the Japanese government set up a liaison office in the crisis management center at the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted on the social media platform X, stating that she had instructed relevant departments to assess the disaster situation and to provide the public with information promptly and accurately.