At approximately 1:04 a.m. on November 8, 2026, a strong earthquake struck Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake originated in western Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of approximately 40 kilometers, with an estimated magnitude of 5.7. There was no threat of a tsunami.
The strongest shaking, measuring Shindo 5-Upper on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, was recorded in Chita City, Aichi Prefecture.
Shindo 5-Lower was recorded in Toyota, Miyoshi, Seto, Handa, Kariya, Tokai, and Shinshiro cities, as well as Togo Town.
Traffic Restrictions and Emergency Response
According to the Aichi Prefectural Police Expressway Division, both directions of the Chita Peninsula Road, Minamichita Road, Chita Cross Road, Chubu International Airport Access Road, and Nagoya-Seto Road were closed as of 1:50 a.m.
A maximum speed limit of 40 km/h was also imposed across the Nagoya Expressway network. This restriction was lifted at 4:00 a.m.
At 2:35 a.m., Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura announced on X that a disaster response headquarters had been established. He instructed relevant departments to assess the damage and take necessary emergency measures.
My Experience in Toyota City
I was at home in my apartment in Toyota City when the earthquake struck.
I moved to Aichi Prefecture 14 years ago, and this was the strongest earthquake I have experienced since moving here. Aichi does not experience strong earthquakes very often, so I was frightened by the intensity of the shaking.
I woke up my children, and our family gathered in the living room to watch the news on television.
I rarely see Toyota City or neighboring Miyoshi City mentioned in earthquake reports. Seeing “Shindo 5-Lower” displayed next to Toyota City on the news was a real shock.
It was a frightening reminder that strong earthquakes can happen even in places where we do not usually expect them.
