Residents on alert after magnitude-5 earthquake rattles Japan

WorldEnvironment
1 Apr 2026 • 6:42 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • A magnitude-5 earthquake rattled parts of eastern Japan on Wednesday morning, causing no serious harm.
  • The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that aftershocks of similar strength could occur in the coming days and urged residents to stay alert for about a week.
  • The tremor measured lower 5 on Japan's shindo seismic intensity scale, with the epicentre in southern Ibaraki, and was felt most strongly in Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures.
  • Officials confirmed there was no tsunami risk, no injuries, or major damage, and no irregularities were reported at nuclear facilities.
  • Several bullet train services between Sendai and Tokyo stations were delayed for hours while inspections were carried out.

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