TAL– A strong earthquake was recorded on Saturday night on the northeast coast of Japan, shaking the cities of Fukushima, Miyagi and other areas, but no tsunami threats, authorities reported.
The Japan Meteorological Agency noted that the quake had a magnitude of 7.3, an increase in its preliminary magnitude of 7.1.
The Tokyo Electricity Company indicated that there are no irregularities in the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, which 10 years ago suffered a fission after a strong earthquake and tsunami.
There were also no reports of irregularities from other nuclear plants in the region, such as those at Onagawa or Fukushima Dai-ni, government spokesman Katsunobu Kato told reporters.
The Tokyo Electricity Company added that about 860,000 homes were left without electricity as a result of the quake, but service was gradually being restored, according to Kato.
Kato said there was no danger of a tsunami after the quake, adding that some trains in northeastern Japan had suspended their service at a time when authorities were assessing other damage.
Images from Japanese public television NHK TV showed parts of the wall of a building that had fallen to the floor, and pieces of glass were scattered in a store. Products fell off the shelves due to an earthquake, NHK noted. Aerial footage of the television showed a portion of a highway blocked by a landslide in Soma, a city in Fukushima prefecture.
Kato has detailed that there were several reports of minor injuries, including that of a man who was hit by an object that fell during the quake.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the quake had its epicenter about 55 kilometers (34 miles) below the seabed, adjusting the location of the previous estimate of 60 kilometers (37 miles).
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga headed to his office immediately after the first earthquake reports, and a crisis care center was established on the spot.
“We will continue to respond, giving priority to human lives,” Suga told reporters Sunday morning.
The quake was felt in southwestern Tokyo.