An earthquake preliminarily measured at 5.6 magnitude has hit off the Japanese coast, just north of Tokyo, Japanese national broadcaster NHK reports.
Local news outlets say the quake was felt in the Saitama and Tokyo areas, with buildings swaying.
Metro operations were briefly suspended on all routes in Tokyo, but services restarted four minutes later.
Very solid tremor (M5.6) just now. Our home shook firmly, then we experienced the odd sensation when everything solid feels gelatinous.
— Fernando Gros (@fernandogros) May 16, 2016
An elevator maintenance firm in Tokyo said several elevators stopped in the metropolitan area due to the quake with commuters asked to “use emergency buttons,” according to NHK.
Already reports of electricity outages
— Stephen Stapczynski (@SStapczynski) May 16, 2016
TASS news agency reports that books fell from shelves and furniture shook at its headquarters in Tokyo.
No abnormalities reported at nuclear power facilities following M5.6 earthquake that jolted Kanto at 21:23.
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) May 16, 2016
No damage was reported at airports, the Japan Times reports, citing officials.
However, NHK claims there was some panic just after the tremors when windows shook at a hotel where a G7 Science and Technology ministerial entourage is staying ahead of a conference this week.
https://twitter.com/tokyo_0/status/732187112762712064
A 5.6 quake is considered strong according to the Japanese 7-point scale. NHK reports there was no immediate tsunami warning, however.
https://twitter.com/Shogannai/status/732188367471976448
Japan Nuclear Power Association says a reactor at Tokai Nuclear Plant in Tokai village has “suspended operation” due to the quake. Tokyo Electric Power reports no incidents at the plant.
Magnitude of earthquake that struck at 21:26 revised to 5.6. Lower 5 shindo in Ibaraki; shindo 4 in Saitama, Chiba https://t.co/jryp06kErk
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) May 16, 2016
The Japanese meteorological society confirmed the reports of a 5.6 strong earthquake. It said the epicenter of the shocks was in the prefecture of Ibaraki.
No information of damage or casualties has been reported from the Ibaraki prefecture.
Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey has reported a 5.4 earthquake some 6km west of Iwai.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency says the depth of the quake was estimated at around 40km.