Strong Earthquake Hits Japan's Northeast Coast
A strong earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan late Saturday night, shaking Fukushima, Miyagi, and other areas. The earthquake was also felt in Tokyo.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the quake, which was centered about 55 kilometers beneath the ocean, had a magnitude of 7.3 and was followed by 14 aftershocks. The JMA did not issue a tsunami warning.
The Japan Times says that more than 100 people were injured in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures; however, no deaths have been reported.
Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) said there were no problems at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, which experienced meltdowns following a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The JMA said Saturday's quake is believed to be an aftershock of the 2011 earthquake.
There were also no reports of issues at other nuclear plants in the area, such as Onagawa or Fukushima Dai-ni, according to Japan's chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato.
TEPCO said that some 860,000 homes lost power as a result of the quake, but electricity was gradually being restored.
Speaking early on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga asked those in the affected areas to be prepared for aftershocks and to stay indoors.
Located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", Japan is one of the most seismically active places in the world. According to Reuters, up to 2,000 quakes can be felt in the country each year.
A landslide caused by the earthquake in Nihonmatsu city, Fukushima prefecture.
