Society | Jan 22

Strong earthquake hits western Japan

A powerful earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.6 hit western Japan early on Saturday. Strong jolts were felt in Oita, Miyazaki, Kumamoto and Kochi prefectures. There was no tsunami.

The quake struck at about 01:08 a.m. on Saturday. Japan's Meteorological Agency says the focus was in the Hyuganada Sea off the coast of Kyushu at a depth of 45 kilometers.

It had an intensity of five-plus on Japan's seismic scale of zero to seven in Oita, Saiki and Taketa cities in Oita Prefecture; and Nobeoka City and Takachiho Town in Miyazaki Prefecture.

It had an intensity of five-minus in Sukumo City in Kochi Prefecture; Aso City, Ubuyama Village and Takamori Town in Kumamoto Prefecture; Usuki and Yufu cities in Oita Prefecture; and Tsuno and Misato towns and Shiiba Village in Miyazaki Prefecture.

Weaker tremors were felt in wide areas, including the Tokai and Hokuriku regions and Izu island chain.

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