Japan earthquake injures dozens and disrupts rail services

A magnitude-5.7 earthquake in central Japan injured at least 22 people, according to local media cited by the Associated Press, and disrupted rail services on Sunday. The tremor struck Shizuoka Prefecture at 1.04am local time; there was no tsunami warning.

Injury counts varied by location and reporting time. Shizuoka Prefecture’s 6am report listed three people with minor injuries. The Associated Press reported at least 22 people injured across the affected area, while a later regional broadcaster put the number in neighbouring Aichi Prefecture at 25 or more, including two serious injuries.

The quake shattered shop windows and knocked goods from shelves. JR Central said Tokaido Shinkansen services returned to normal speeds at 8.57am after safety checks. Twenty-nine trains had been delayed by up to 52 minutes, affecting about 17,000 passengers.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned that further strong quakes were possible over the following week, particularly in the next two to three days. An agency official also urged people to watch for landslides and falling rocks, especially if it rains.