M5.0 quake rattles eastern Japan

Woke me up in Tokyo, although it was probably the alerts from our phones more than the quake. Moderately strong, I'd say.

I was waiting for something strong. The alert had both my wife and I ready for something bigger but in the end it was almost nothing. Same with the one Monday night. Not even the glass doors in our old cabinet rattled and that doesn’t take much at all. We’re in Tokyo too. Southwest Tokyo.

Same in hachioji. Scared awake by the alarms, but barely perceptible quake.

@haa and sensei

But if a big one came and you did not get an alert you would probably be more annoyed

Where did I criticize the alert? I wasn’t criticizing the alert at all. Still thankful for it.

I was awoken by the alert in northern Yokohama but didn’t feel any shaking.

Jist to be clear lest someone tries to criticize me for something I neither nor implied: I’m grateful for the alert that woke me up and that there was no property damage or injury to anyone.

We're from Chiba and we all didn't feel it. Got awaken by that ugly earthquake alert sound playing on the speaker outside. I opened the curtains to see the whole complex lit up, people looking from their windows.

I swear, that alert sound is worse by itself than any earthquake since they created it. Gives me a heart attack every time!

Like the above I am thankful Japan has such a good system.....the Japanese alert system (although not perfect) is by far the most advanced and the best in the world (for a good reason obviously)

For those giving the down votes; Which country has a technically better and more accurate earthquake alert system? I am curious

While one appreciates the warning, would it be possible to create a sound that isn't quite so....alarming? It's like a sound effect from some low-budget 80s slasher movie. I was catapulted out of bed last night half-expecting to see some gimp in a ski mask standing over me with a kitchen knife.

No down vote from me. Pleased its such a piercing sound so I do wake up. I don’t believe anywhere has such a good system as this, apart from perhaps Chile which please correct me if I am wrong bought, and had the tech installed by DoCoMo. If’s not if,but when we will be truly grateful for this.

@ kitty - I was not annoyed at being woken by the alarms, simply relieved when it turned out to be a small quake.

@theResident.....thanks for the information. I did not know this - quite interesting. I will probably try to read about this a bit.

in chiba this was quite strong, definitely a 4.

As a north Chiba resident I can say BOTH these recent quakes were quite strong, especially the one on Monday, had the Mrs & I almost stepping out the door into the yard, as the article says we have been getting LOTS of quakes of late, hear Nagano was too

No -I’ve had it with this alarm and I’ve switched it off. I’m a light sleeper and wake up to any earthquake. This horrifying noise does nothing but scare the living daylights out of me for what seems to be a slight tremble. The system needs to be refined and then I will consider switching it on again.

Last night earthquake was strong. I live in Tokyo, Inaghi and it it shook us but didn’t last long and no damages thank God!

Which country has a technically better and more accurate earthquake alert system? 

South Korea. Their alert arrives 10 seconds before japans.

@TokyoQ - No it doesn't activate from a light 'tremble'. It's activated by P Waves which occur before the shaking itself and will only go off when the PREDICTION is of a Shindo 4 closest to your nearest 'listening station' and cell tower. It's not perfect and has and will cause false alarms in the future. and yes, I know you CAN deactivate it. Seems foolish to do so, however that is your prerogative.

As it happens it was only a Shindo 3 here in Shibuya-Ku. I'll be leaving mine on.

They need to tone it down with these alerts. They should only be used for earthquakes much bigger, otherwise they may cause a panic...or worse yet, people may become desensitized to them and not react at all..

You come up with the tech to 'tone it down' Mirai and I'll be right on board. Let's be grateful we at least have this. They don't have anything much good elsewhere, certainly not that reacts to the initial P waves as I said above. I don't know anyone that has become desensitised to them with the racket the DoCoMo app starts off! We've had 2 alerts in Shibuya in this week - Can't even recall when the last one was.

All the people bored by the alert or they want to switch it off, do it you are free to do that, but then don't come here to complain when a 8+ magnitude quake shakes Tokyo...