Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Japan

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Japan early Sunday injuring more than 20 people and disrupting transportation the local media reported with citing the country's weather agency and authorities.

The quake originated in southern Ibaraki prefecture at a depth of 68 kilometres, Kyodo News reported with citing the Japan Meteorological Agency. No tsunami alert was issued.

The tremor registered lower 5 on Japan's seven-point seismic intensity scale in parts of Ibaraki and central Tokyo. More than 20 people were injured including a young man and a woman in her 70s in Saitama along with nine people in Kanagawa and four in Chiba prefecture.

Several train services faced delays with some running at reduced speeds. Certain express services operated by Tobu Railway remained suspended.

An intensity of lower 5 was also recorded in parts of Saitama, Chiba and central Tokyo.

No abnormalities were detected at the Tokai No. 2 nuclear power plant in Ibaraki nor at the Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini nuclear plants in northeastern Japan.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed officials to assess the extent of the damage and ensure timely information reaches the public.

The weather agency urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks registering lower 5 on the intensity scale over the coming week in particularly during the next two to three days.

The quake was felt across a wide area of the country including northeastern and central Japan.