Earthquake hits Japan; no tsunami warning

TOKYO: An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 jolted the Chiba Prefecture region of Japan east of Tokyo yesterday.

No tsunami warning was issued as a result of the quake, measuring 4 on the Japanese seismic scale, which peaks at 7.

It struck at 6.19pm local time with a depth of 60km, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said yesterday.

The quake hit parts of Chiba and neighbouring Ibaraki prefectures, it said. In some areas of Tokyo, tall buildings could be felt to shake and sway after the quake struck.

It registered 3 in some areas in the capital.

There have been no immediate reports of injury or damage as a result of the quake.

Japan’s nuclear watchdog has also not reported any abnormalities at any of the country’s nuclear facilities. – Xinhua