News

Actions

Strong earthquake shakes northern Japan

Posted
and last updated

TOKYO (AP) — A strong earthquake struck just off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan. No tsunami warning was issued.

The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.7 hit about 12:30 p.m. (0330 GMT) Thursday, near the Urakawa town on the southern tip of Hokkaido, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It said the quake's center was located at a depth of 50 kilometers (30 miles) below the sea surface.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Hiroyuki Kenai, a disaster prevention official at the Urakawa town told Japan's NHK national television in a telephone interview that he was caught by surprise when having lunch at his office and that officials were still assessing the extent of damage.

A newly launched Hokkaido "bullet train" service was temporarily suspended but has since resumed, according to NHK.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Saturday

02/07/2026

Sunny

72° / 46°

1%

Sunday

02/08/2026

Sunny

70° / 47°

6%

Monday

02/09/2026

Cloudy

61° / 49°

7%

Tuesday

02/10/2026

PM Showers

66° / 45°

45%

Wednesday

02/11/2026

Partly Cloudy

61° / 42°

12%

Thursday

02/12/2026

Partly Cloudy

60° / 43°

15%

Friday

02/13/2026

Mostly Sunny

62° / 43°

9%

Saturday

02/14/2026

Partly Cloudy

62° / 45°

21%