Significant M5.8 Earthquake struck on Sunday Night near Toride in Japan.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on August 22nd, 2026. Last updated August 23rd, 2026.

In the night of Sunday August 23rd, 2026, a significant M5.8 earthquake hit under land 4 kilometer from Toride in Japan. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Around 50 million people have been exposed to shaking.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Japan, 4 kilometer (2 mi) north of Toride in Ibaraki. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 61 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Aug 23, 2026 02:00 (Tokyo Time) - Aug 22, 2026 17:00 Universal Time.
Location:	4 km north of Toride, Ibaraki, Japan. Coordinates 35°56'15"N 140°4'40"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 41 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.048 .
Depth:	61 km (38 mi) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 50 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 50 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

An estimated 6,339,000 people were exposed to level V. At this level, moderate shaking and very light damage can be expected. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 36 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Japan .

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
5,920	II	Very weak	None
7,571,000	III	Weak	Probably none
36,000,000	IV	Light	Likely none
6,339,000	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Japan . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Fujishiro in Ibaraki, Japan. Fujishiro is located 4 kilometer (2 mi) northwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Fujishiro is estimated to be around level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (moderate shaking, very light damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Tokyo is located 44 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Yokohama is located 68 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Saitama is located 38 km to the west and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
4 km (2 mi) S from epicenter	Toride Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
4 km (2 mi) SE from epicenter	Fujishiro Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
6 km (4 mi) NE from epicenter	Ushiku Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
7 km (4 mi) W from epicenter	Moriya Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
10 km (6 mi) SW from epicenter	Abiko Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
10 km (6 mi) SE from epicenter	Ryūgasaki Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
12 km (7 mi) SW from epicenter	Kashiwa Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
12 km (7 mi) NW from epicenter	Mitsukaidō Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
15 km (9 mi) NE from epicenter	Ami Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
15 km (9 mi) S from epicenter	Shiroi Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
15 km (9 mi) NE from epicenter	Naka Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
18 km (11 mi) SW from epicenter	Nagareyama Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
19 km (12 mi) W from epicenter	Noda Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
20 km (12 mi) NW from epicenter	Iwai Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
22 km (14 mi) E from epicenter	Inashiki Ibaraki, Japan.	V Moderate
22 km (14 mi) W from epicenter	Yoshikawa Saitama, Japan.	V Moderate
24 km (15 mi) SW from epicenter	Matsudo Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
25 km (16 mi) SW from epicenter	Yashio Saitama, Japan.	V Moderate
27 km (17 mi) W from epicenter	Koshigaya Saitama, Japan.	V Moderate
27 km (17 mi) SW from epicenter	Sōka Saitama, Japan.	V Moderate
28 km (17 mi) SE from epicenter	Sakura Chiba, Japan.	IV Light
28 km (17 mi) S from epicenter	Honchō Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
28 km (17 mi) SE from epicenter	Narita Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
29 km (18 mi) N from epicenter	Tsukuba Ibaraki, Japan.	IV Light
30 km (19 mi) W from epicenter	Kasukabe Saitama, Japan.	V Moderate
33 km (21 mi) S from epicenter	Yotsukaidō Chiba, Japan.	IV Light
34 km (21 mi) W from epicenter	Iwatsuki Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
34 km (21 mi) SW from epicenter	Urayasu Tokyo, Japan.	V Moderate
36 km (22 mi) SW from epicenter	Kawaguchi Saitama, Japan.	V Moderate
38 km (24 mi) E from epicenter	Katori-shi Chiba, Japan.	V Moderate
38 km (24 mi) W from epicenter	Shimotoda Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
38 km (24 mi) W from epicenter	Saitama Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
38 km (24 mi) S from epicenter	Chiba Chiba, Japan.	IV Light
40 km (25 mi) W from epicenter	Yono Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
42 km (26 mi) W from epicenter	Ageoshimo Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
44 km (27 mi) SW from epicenter	Tokyo Tokyo, Japan.	IV Light
45 km (28 mi) W from epicenter	Asaka Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
47 km (29 mi) NW from epicenter	Oyama Tochigi, Japan.	IV Light
47 km (29 mi) S from epicenter	Ichihara Chiba, Japan.	IV Light
53 km (33 mi) W from epicenter	Kawagoe Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
54 km (34 mi) SW from epicenter	Nishi-Tokyo-shi Tokyo, Japan.	IV Light
54 km (34 mi) SW from epicenter	Kamirenjaku Tokyo, Japan.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) W from epicenter	Tokorozawa Saitama, Japan.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) SW from epicenter	Kawasaki Kanagawa, Japan.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) NE from epicenter	Mito Ibaraki, Japan.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) SW from epicenter	Chōfu Tokyo, Japan.	IV Light
68 km (42 mi) SW from epicenter	Yokohama Kanagawa, Japan.	IV Light
72 km (45 mi) SW from epicenter	Machida Tokyo, Japan.	IV Light
72 km (45 mi) N from epicenter	Utsunomiya Tochigi, Japan.	IV Light
75 km (47 mi) SW from epicenter	Hachiōji Tokyo, Japan.	IV Light
76 km (47 mi) NW from epicenter	Ōta Gunma, Japan.	IV Light
82 km (51 mi) SW from epicenter	Yokosuka Kanagawa, Japan.	IV Light
94 km (58 mi) SW from epicenter	Uenohara Yamanashi, Japan.	IV Light
143 km (89 mi) NE from epicenter	Iwaki Fukushima, Japan.	III Weak
187 km (116 mi) SW from epicenter	Shizuoka Shizuoka, Japan.	III Weak
187 km (116 mi) NW from epicenter	Nagano Nagano, Japan.	III Weak
237 km (147 mi) NW from epicenter	Niigata Niigata, Japan.
257 km (160 mi) N from epicenter	Yamagata Yamagata, Japan.
268 km (167 mi) N from epicenter	Sendai Miyagi, Japan.
270 km (168 mi) W from epicenter	Toyama Toyama, Japan.
299 km (186 mi) W from epicenter	Nagoya Aichi, Japan.
305 km (190 mi) W from epicenter	Gifu-shi Gifu, Japan.
319 km (198 mi) W from epicenter	Kanazawa Ishikawa, Japan.
332 km (206 mi) W from epicenter	Yokkaichi Mie, Japan.
347 km (216 mi) W from epicenter	Fukui-shi Fukui, Japan.
378 km (235 mi) N from epicenter	Yokote Akita, Japan.
383 km (238 mi) N from epicenter	Kitakami Iwate, Japan.
395 km (245 mi) W from epicenter	Ōtsu Shiga, Japan.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 112 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 112 people have reported shaking in 48 places, all within Japan.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Tokyo, Tokio, Japan: 46 people.
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan: 4 people.
Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan: 4 people.
Komae, Tokio, Japan: 3 people.
Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan: 2 people.
Machida, Tokio, Japan: 2 people.
Urayasu, Chiba, Japan: 2 people.
Narita, Chiba, Japan: 2 people.
Ageo, Saitama, Japan: 2 people.
Musashino, Tokio, Japan: 2 people.

Aftershocks detected

Before this earthquake struck, 2 smaller foreshocks occurred. Roughly 2 days before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-4.3 was detected nearby this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Foreshock	M 3.6	3 days earlier Aug 20, 2026 08:38 (Tokyo Time)	78 km (49 mi) NE from Main Shock.
Foreshock	M 4.3	2 days earlier Aug 20, 2026 14:28 (Tokyo Time)	94 km (58 mi) NE from Main Shock.
Main Shock This Earthquake	M 5.8	Aug 23, 2026 02:00 (Tokyo Time)	-

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since June 26th, 2026, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 53 km (33 mi) further south-east. An even stronger magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck on March 16th, 2022.

In total, 23 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 5 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor	Under Sea?	MAG-6.5 or stronger?	Shallow depth?
Explanation	Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami.	Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.	Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake	Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.8. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 61 km (38 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 23/08/26 01:38 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.