Death toll up in Japanese quake

– Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the quake-hit northern region of Hokkaido yesterday, as officials confirmed two more deaths, bringing the toll to 37.

Abe toured Sapporo, where Thursday’s 6.6-magnitude jolt has left houses tilted and roads cracked.

He was later scheduled to take a helicopter ride to Atsuma, his visit coming as search-and-rescue operations continue to find two missing individuals. – AFP