Magnitude 6.2 earthquake jolts Tokyo, no tsunami warning

Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: A magnitude 6.2 earthquake, which measured a weak 5 on the shindo (intensity) scale, was detected at a depth of 50 kilometers off eastern Chiba Prefecture on Friday at 7:03 p.m., jolting nearby areas including Tokyo.

No tsunami warning was issued, according to the Meteorological Agency.

The quake registered a weak 5 in parts of Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures and was strongly felt in the capital, but there were no immediate reports of major damage.

Footage from NHK showed buildings shaking near Narita Airport in Chiba. Airport authorities were checking for damage to its runways, NHK said.

East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) said it was suspending some train services in Chiba Prefecture.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas. Japan accounts for about one-fifth of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.

Friday’s temblor comes just three weeks after a magnitude 6.5 quake struck Ishikawa Prefecture, killing one man and injuring several others.