The Japan Meteorological Agency said it had recorded a 5.9‑magnitude earthquake off the coast of Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, on Monday, November 9. The epicenter lay at a latitude of 36.2 degrees north and a longitude of 142.2 degrees east, about 10 kilometres below sea level according to the agency’s preliminary analysis.
Shaking from the quake was felt across several prefectures, including Ibaraki, Miyagi, Fukushima and Tochigi, and was reported in the capital city of Tokyo. The Japan Meteorological Agency rated the seismic intensity at those points as a 3 on its 0‑to‑7 scale, where 7 indicates the most severe shaking that can cause damage to buildings.
The quake occurred around 1:52 p.m. local time, and its shallow depth of roughly 10 kilometres was noted as a key factor in the widespread perception of shaking. The agency added that the event was not expected to generate a tsunami, and no tsunami warning was issued.
According to the agency’s release, no injuries or damage were reported at the time of the initial assessment. The Xinhua news agency quoted the Japan Meteorological Agency’s senior seismologist, Dr. Kazuo Yamano, who noted in a statement that “the determined depth and magnitude suggest that the seismic energy largely dissipated before reaching the surface.”
The Japan Meteorological Agency also monitored the quake’s aftershocks, noting several smaller events that occurred in the following hours. These aftershocks were likewise recorded at depths ranging from 5 to 12 kilometres and magnitudes between 2.5 and 4.2, and were likewise rated at a maximum intensity of 3 where felt.
Meanwhile, local authorities in Ibaraki Prefecture issued a brief bulletin reminding residents not to disregard the possibility of aftershocks, and to remain cautious around damaged infrastructure. The Ibaraki Prefecture’s emergency management office confirmed that full emergency shutters in public buildings were operational and that the city’s emergency response teams were on standby.
A report surfaced on the social media platform Facebook from a user claiming that the quake struck around 2 a.m. local time and that casualties were reported, but the post was not publicly available and could not be verified by the news outlet. The Facebook source did not provide a direct quote or official statement regarding casualty numbers or the earthquake’s measurements.
In summary, the 5.9‑magnitude quake struck off Ibaraki Prefecture on Monday afternoon, produced a moderate seismic intensity of 3 across a broad region that included Tokyo, and did not generate a tsunami. The event was monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency, which released a preliminary report with no immediate report of injuries or significant damage. The available information remains limited, and further details will be provided as the agency continues to analyze aftershocks and official damage assessments from local authorities.