Tokyo, Japan, June 28: A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan early Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, adding that there was no risk of a tsunami.
According to the JMA, the earthquake occurred at 5:21 a.m. local time at a depth of 41 kilometres. The quake recorded a maximum seismic intensity of lower 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in Hachinohe City of Aomori Prefecture and Fudai Village in Iwate Prefecture.
Tremors with intensities ranging from 4 to 1 were felt across a wide area extending from Hokkaido to the Kanto-Koshin region.
The agency said the earthquake was caused by a reverse fault with a pressure axis running from west-northwest to east-southeast.As of 7:00 a.m. local time, no additional earthquakes measuring seismic intensity 1 or higher had been recorded.
The JMA said the earthquake occurred in the same offshore area where a quake registering a maximum seismic intensity of 6-upper struck on June 25. Authorities have advised residents in the affected areas to remain alert for earthquakes of up to seismic intensity 6-upper for about a week following the earlier quake.
The agency also warned that areas that experienced strong shaking could face an increased risk of landslides and rockfalls and urged residents to exercise caution.
The JMA said the latest earthquake does not meet the criteria for issuing a warning regarding a subsequent earthquake off the coast of Hokkaido and the Sanriku region.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said there was no concern of a tsunami and that the government was continuing its response through the crisis management office established at the Prime Minister’s Office after the June 25 earthquake.
She said officials had been instructed to assess the damage situation, provide timely and accurate information to the public, and take necessary response measures.
The Prime Minister also urged residents in the affected region to remain vigilant as seismic activity continues in the area.