Strong 5.7-magnitude earthquake hits Japan, injuring more than 20 people

According to reports, the tremors were recorded at 1:04 a.m. in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of about 40 kilometers.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the seismic intensity exceeded 5 on the Japanese scale in Chita, Aichi Prefecture.

The earthquake was the strongest in approximately three decades in the Aichi region, where Toyota Motor Corp. has production facilities.

No tsunami warning was issued.

No abnormalities were detected at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Shizuoka, which is located near the potential Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake zone.

The Meteorological Agency noted that the likelihood of this earthquake being linked to a possible Nankai Trough megaquake is low.

The incident caused disruptions to some local rail services.

Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains temporarily experienced delays and operated at reduced speeds between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations, but services were fully restored by noon.

The central government established a special liaison office to respond to the aftermath of the earthquake.

Later that morning, at around 10:53 a.m., another earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan.

Japan remains a region of high seismic activity. Previously, on July 28, a destructive 7.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Kumamoto.

Earthquakes have also been recorded in various regions of Ukraine.

In particular, a 3.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Poltava region on the night of October 30, with its epicenter in the Machukhy community of Poltava district.

Tremors have also been felt in other areas, including the Odesa region, where residents felt tremors from an earthquake in Romania.

An earthquake also occurred in Zakarpattia region, in Tiachiv district.