In Japan, 40 people were injured after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, earlier today. 

 

The quake also caused burst water pipes and disrupted transport services in some areas. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 70 kilometres. Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. 

 

Separately, a second 6.0-magnitude earthquake also struck parts of the northern prefecture of Hokkaido this evening.

 

Last month, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Kumamoto area on the southern island of Kyushu, killing 38 people and injuring 364. It also destroyed more than 1,500 buildings and damaged nearly 20,000 others.

 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government had established an emergency response task force at the Prime Minister’s Office to assess the situation and coordinate the response.