A strong earthquake shook central Japan in the early hours of 8 November 2026. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the epicentre was off the west coast of Shizuoka Prefecture; the agency recorded the time as 01:04 local time (Japan Standard Time) and provisionally estimated the magnitude at about M5.7 to M6.0. The highest local intensity (Shindo) recorded was “5-strong” (the upper value of level 5 on the Japanese scale) in parts of Aichi Prefecture. ([jma.go.jp](https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/press/2611/08a/202611080305.html?utm_source=openai)) Shizuoka; the agency recorded the time as 01:04 local time (Japan Standard Time) and provisionally estimated the magnitude at about M5.7 to M6.0. The highest local intensity (Shindo) recorded was “5-strong” (the upper value of level 5 on the Japanese scale) in parts of Aichi “5-strong” (the upper value of level 5 on the Japanese scale). ([jma.go.jp](https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/press/2611/08a/202611080305.html?utm_source=openai))
Authorities and regional broadcasters reported property damage, falling objects and several injuries in Aichi and neighbouring prefectures as a result of the tremor. Local media and fire services summarised initial reports, saying “at least 22” people had been injured, mostly in falls, by falling objects or while evacuating; some were taken to hospital. In some towns, authorities reported cracks in buildings and brief disruptions to services, including isolated water and transport problems. A tsunami was not forecast, according to the JMA. ([nagoyatv.com](https://www.nagoyatv.com/news/syakai.html?id=000546134&utm_source=openai))
Central official measurement data were assessed immediately after the event in J-RISKanalyses and by local civil protection authorities ; the JMA also warned that the risk of aftershocks remained elevated in areas that experienced stronger shaking over the following days, and urged people to exercise extra caution. The JMA advised against entering damaged buildings without an inspection and urged people to follow announcements from local authorities. ([j-risq.bosai.go.jp](https://www.j-risq.bosai.go.jp/report/static/R/20261108010451/0089/00001/R-20261108010451-0089-00001-REPORT_SP.html?utm_source=openai))
Transport operators reported temporary restrictions: regional trains and some express services initially ran late or were temporarily suspended pending infrastructure inspections. Operators of nuclear power stations in the region said no safety-related anomalies had been detected so far; checks were under way. ([newsdig.tbs.co.jp](https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/3069906?display=1&utm_source=openai))
The situation remains provisional: the JMA and local authorities are continuing to gather reports of injuries and damage. Further official situation reports from the affected prefectures are needed before reliable damage estimates and possible long-term consequences can be assessed. All information given here relates to the first official and media reports on the event on 8 November 2026 and is therefore provisional.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).