Tokyo: A magnitude 6.1 quake struck off Aomori in northern Japan on Tuesday, the national weather agency said, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake hit at 6:18 pm (0918 GMT) at a depth of 20 kilometres (12 miles), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Major Japanese media outlets carried no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The US Geological Survey estimated the earthquake’s magnitude to be 6.2. Earthquakes are common in Japan, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
The nation has stringent building codes designed to ensure that structures can withstand strong earthquakes, and emergency drills are regularly held to get everyone ready for a major jolt.
