Global Courant
TOKYO – A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale hit northern Japan on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, but there were no immediate reports of damage.
The earthquake struck Hokkaido Island at 6:55 p.m. local time (5:55 p.m. in Singapore). The Japan Meteorological Agency said there was no tsunami alert.
The earthquake struck just off the coast of the Hokkaido region of Urakawa at a depth of 123 km, the USGS said.
There were no direct reports of damage or injuries, according to national broadcaster NHK.
There were also no anomalies reported from nuclear facilities in the area, Japan’s nuclear regulator said.
A local official told NHK that the quake produced strong tremors that lasted for 20 to 30 seconds.
“It first shook sideways, then it gradually got stronger,” he told the broadcaster.
“It felt like a long time and it was eerie,” the official said. AFP
