A double blow of nature was witnessed in Japan on Sunday, where two powerful earthquakes were felt within just a few hours. Shortly after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in eastern Japan injured more than 40 people, a second major earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck northern Hokkaido. However, it is a matter of relief that the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has not issued any tsunami warning.
According to the weather agency, the epicenter of the second earthquake in Hokkaido was at a depth of 40 kilometers. Earlier, an earthquake of 5.9 magnitude was recorded at a depth of 68 kilometers in Ibaraki Prefecture on Sunday morning, the impact of which was felt in large parts of the country including the capital Tokyo. Due to the tremors, water pipelines burst and many buildings were damaged in Tokyo's Koto Ward.
Transport services have been badly affected due to the earthquake. JR East and regional train operators slowed many trains as a precaution, while several express services were temporarily halted. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has formed an Emergency Response Task Force in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to review the situation and coordinate emergency relief operations. The administration has expressed fear of more aftershocks in the coming days.