Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Strikes Central Japan, Injuring at Least 25
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan, injuring at least 25 people and damaging buildings.
By Hushread Stories, from 25 outlets · First published 8 Nov 2026
In brief
- The earthquake struck central Japan at 01:04 local time on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- The epicentre was in western Shizuoka Prefecture, and shaking affected a wider area of central Japan.
- At least 25 people were injured, according to the latest report, with some reportedly falling on stairs during evacuations.
- Japan's Meteorological Agency measured the earthquake at magnitude 5.7, while the United States Geological Survey reported 5.5.
- No tsunami warning was issued; authorities warned of possible strong aftershocks, and rail services faced disruptions.
Timeline · 4 moments
Reports describe evacuation injuries from falls down stairs
Top World News- News18.com ↗Shaking affects Hamamatsu, Kyoto, Nara and nearby prefectures
The Hindu ↗Japanese and US agencies report different magnitude readings
Business Line - Home ↗Earthquake strikes western Shizuoka shortly after one in morning
Times now ↗Update 8 Nov 2026, 7:30 pm UTC
The reported injury count has risen to at least 25, according to Fanpage, up from the previously reported minimum of 22. Al Jazeera also reports more than 20 injured, while El Colombiano reports at least 20 and no deaths as of its edition deadline.
Update 8 Nov 2026, 1:09 pm UTC
Al Jazeera reports that authorities warned of possible strong aftershocks in the coming days. TGcom24 reports rail disruptions, including delays on the Tokaido Shinkansen, while ANSA reports no abnormalities at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. A higher injury count appears in Adnkronos, but other coverage continues to report more than 20 or at least 22 injured.
How it started
The earthquake struck at 01:04 local time on Sunday, November 8, with its epicentre in western Shizuoka Prefecture, according to Times now.
ABC News described the quake's magnitude as a preliminary 5.7. Business Line reported differing measurements: Japan's Meteorological Agency put it at 5.7, while the US Geological Survey recorded 5.5.
How it unfolded
The November 8 reports described shaking across a broad area of central Japan. The Hindu reported that affected places included Hamamatsu, Kyoto and Nara, as well as Yamanashi and Gifu prefectures and an area near Aichi Prefecture.
Business Line reported shattered store windows and at least 22 injuries. The available coverage does not provide a full breakdown of damage or the severity of those injuries.
Some people were hurt while trying to leave buildings. News18, citing local media, reported that some injuries occurred when people fell down stairs during evacuation.
No tsunami warning was issued, according to India Today.
Where it stands
At least 22 people have been reported injured, according to Business Line and News18. Times now gave a lower minimum of 20; these are minimum counts rather than final totals.
The reports establish injuries and broken windows, but leave the wider scale of damage unclear. They also do not give a detailed account of the injured people's conditions.
What to watch
The main open questions are whether the injury count rises, how seriously people were hurt and how much damage occurred beyond the shattered windows already reported. The supplied coverage does not yet settle those points.
More in World
All →
Erdoğan urges restraint as Trump plays down new Iran attacks
Erdoğan has told Trump he opposes another wave of attacks on Iran, while reports of daily pressure from Netanyahu put competing diplomatic and military demands in focus.
8 sources · over 3 days
Russell Brand sentenced to 10 years and six months for rape
The sentence follows convictions involving four women, whose accounts of lasting trauma were heard in court, while new allegations of violence have emerged from his former partner.
64 sources · today
Iran Tightens Hormuz Shipping Restrictions as US Expands Pressure and Talks Stall
Attacks on shipping and a new US effort to restrict Iranian land trade are raising pressure around Hormuz, even as Trump plays down the likelihood of renewed strikes.
66 sources · over 12 days