Quake hits northeast Japan

TOKYO: A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off Fukushima, northeastern Japan yesterday, but there was no tsunami threat, US and Japanese authorities said. The quake jolted large areas in the region at 7:23 pm with its epicenter located 54 kilometers east of Namie, eastern Fukushima, according to the US Geological Survey said. The quake was also felt in Tokyo. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no worries about tsunami damage. The weather agency issued an emergency warning when the quake hit, but there was no immediate report of injuries or damage. Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended in the region, public broadcaster NHK said. No abnormality was detected at nuclear plants in the region, including the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, NHK said. —AFP