A magnitude 5.6 earthquake [1] struck the Fuji Five Lakes region of eastern Yamanashi Prefecture on June 26, 2024, at 10:29 p.m. JST [2].

The quake disrupted critical transportation arteries connecting Tokyo to central Japan, prompting immediate shutdowns of high-speed rail and major highways to ensure public safety.

The maximum observed intensity reached shindo 6-lower in Fuji-Kawaguchiko town [1]. Other significant tremors were recorded, including shindo 5-strong in Otsuki city, Yamanashi [1], and shindo 5-weak in portions of Kanagawa and Shizuoka prefectures [1]. The hypocenter was located at a depth of 20 km [1].

Transportation networks faced immediate impacts. Japan Railways suspended Tokaido Shinkansen operations between Tokyo and Shizuoka stations [1]. The company said the suspension was due to a power cutoff implemented to ensure safety [3].

Several highway sections were also closed to traffic. These included the Chuo Expressway between the Uenohara and Katsunuma interchanges, the Tomei Expressway between the Numazu and Fuji interchanges, and the Shin-Tomei Expressway between the Nagasaka Numazu and Shin-Fuji interchanges [4].

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported no tsunami risk [1]. A spokesperson for the agency said no abnormal volcanic activity was confirmed at Mt. Fuji, and the earthquake occurred in a location distant enough from the mountain that no link was observed [3].

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida responded to the event and said the government would act with human life as the first priority [2].

“The maximum observed intensity reached shindo 6-lower in Fuji-Kawaguchiko town.”

The suspension of the Tokaido Shinkansen and the closure of the Tomei and Shin-Tomei expressways highlight the vulnerability of Japan's primary transit corridor between Tokyo and Nagoya/Osaka. Because the quake occurred near the Fuji Five Lakes region without triggering volcanic activity or a tsunami, the primary impact was infrastructural rather than catastrophic, though the high shindo intensity in Yamanashi suggests significant local shaking.