Magnitude 7.2 earthquake rattles northeastern Japan; no tsunami threat reported

AKIPRESS.COM – A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan, but there is no threat of a tsunami, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency as reported by the Mainichi newspaper. Officials initially registered the quake at a magnitude of 6.9 before upgrading the data upon further review.

The earthquake occurred at approximately 7:30 AM local time off the Pacific coast of Iwate Prefecture at a depth of 44 kilometers. The resulting tremors were felt most intensely in Hashikami, a town located in Aomori Prefecture, though the shaking was also felt hundreds of kilometers away in Tokyo.

According to local fire departments serving Hashikami and the neighboring city of Hachinohe, four people—including teenagers and individuals in their 50s—were transported to a hospital to receive treatment for minor injuries sustained during the quake.