The quake, centered in western Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of 40 kilometers, was felt across a wide area, including Aichi Prefecture, Hamamatsu, Kyoto, Nara, Yamanashi, and Gifu. Japanese television showed shattered shop windows and scattered glass on streets, while a bookstore in Toyota city reported books falling from shelves. The Japan Times said a car dealership in Toyohashi city also sustained damage.

Authorities in Aichi reported 16 injuries, mostly minor, including a woman in her nineties who injured her shoulder after falling from her bed. In Shizuoka, at least three women sought emergency medical care. Local media in both regions reported 24 total injuries. Some were caused by people falling on stairs while fleeing buildings, the Associated Press reported.

Regional train services were suspended and the Shinkansen bullet trains operated at reduced speeds as a precaution. JR Central said the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Shizuoka and Gifu-Hashima stations experienced delays after safety checks. The Japan Times reported that the quake was felt as far west as Osaka, where a foreign resident was hospitalized after falling from a second-floor apartment.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of possible strong aftershocks in the coming week, especially in the next two to three days. “Please be on the lookout for mudslides, falling rocks and the possible effects from rainfall,” agency official Ayataka Ebita told reporters. He noted no apparent change had been detected so far in the Nankai Trough, a tectonic zone where a major earthquake could occur.

Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually. A 4.3-magnitude quake struck the Kumamoto region hours after the central Japan quake, but no serious damage was reported. The Japan Times noted the country is still recovering from a 7.1-magnitude quake in July 2026 that killed 38 people and caused widespread damage.

Authorities frequently advise residents to keep emergency supplies such as bottled water, food, and batteries on hand. The Hindu reported that officials also recommend having a plan to take cover under sturdy furniture and keeping comfortable walking shoes ready in case of evacuation.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake at 5.5 magnitude, while the Japan Meteorological Agency put it at 5.7. The earthquake was not felt in Tokyo and no tsunami warning was issued.