SUCH– A strong earthquake struck off Japan’s northeast coast on Saturday evening, shaking the cities of Fukushima, Miyagi and other areas, but there are no tsunami threats, authorities said.
The Japan Meteorological Agency noted that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3, an increase from its preliminary magnitude of 7.1.
The Tokyo Electricity Company indicated that there are no irregularities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which split 10 years ago after a strong earthquake and tsunami.
There were also no reports of irregularities by other nuclear power plants in the region, such as those in Onagawa or Fukushima Dai-ni, Katsunobu Kato, the government spokesman, told reporters.
The Tokyo Power Company added that about 860,000 homes were without power due to the earthquake, but service was gradually being restored, according to Kato.
Kato said there was no danger of a tsunami after the earthquake, adding that some trains in northeastern Japan had suspended their service while authorities estimated other damage.
Footage from Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV showed parts of a building wall that had fallen to the floor and pieces of glass scattered around a shop. Products fell from shelves as a result of the earthquake, NHK said. Aerial shots from the television station showed a section of a highway blocked by a landslide in Soma, a city in Fukushima prefecture.
Kato explained that there were several reports of minor injuries, including that of a man being hit by an object that fell during the earthquake.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the earthquake had its epicenter about 55 kilometers (34 miles) below the sea floor, adjusting the location of the previous estimate to 60 kilometers (37 miles).
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga went to his office immediately after the first reports of the earthquake and a crisis center was set up on the spot.
“We will continue to respond and prioritize human lives,” Suga told reporters Sunday morning.
The earthquake was felt in Tokyo, in the southwest.