A strong earthquake has struck Eastern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the magnitude 5.5 quake occurred in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. In southern Gunma Prefecture and northern Saitama Prefecture, it had an intensity of lower 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7. They were the hardest hit areas. The JMA says there is no risk of tsunami.
Some Shinkansen services resumed after being suspended
The operator of the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train says service between Tokyo and Nagano stations has resumed. It was suspended because of the earthquake.
The operator of the Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train says it has resumed service between Tokyo and Niigata stations after it was suspended.
Japan Railway officials say there was a temporary power outage on the Tokaido Shinkansen. But services resumed after safety was confirmed.
Airport operations normal
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways say their operations at Haneda, Narita and Fukushima airports have not been affected by the quake.
No abnormalities reported at Japan’s nuclear power plants
The operators of the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants, the Tokai No.2 nuclear power plant in Ibaraki Prefecture and the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture say there have been no reports of abnormalities at the facilities. They say radiation levels around the plants remain unchanged.
‘Long-period ground motion’ observed around Tokyo during quake
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported seismic waves that could cause swaying in high-rises around Tokyo during an earthquake on Tuesday evening.
Officials said Class 1 “long-period ground motion,” the lowest in the 4-level scale, was observed in three municipalities in Ibaraki, Gunma and Saitama prefectures.
The agency labels tremors of more than 2 seconds that could rock high-rise buildings “long-period ground motion.” Such movements are typically generated during large earthquakes.
The agency says Class 1 tremors can be felt by most people inside tall buildings. Such motions move blinds and other hanging objects significantly.