The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck eastern Japan on the evening of March 16. There have been no reports of damage at this time.
Goods toppled at a convenience store in Fukushima after the earthquake on March 16 – (Photo: KYODO)
According to AFP, the earthquake occurred off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, at a depth of 60 km around 11:36 PM (9:36 PM local time).
Authorities issued a tsunami warning for the northeastern coastal areas of Japan.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) reported no damage or injuries so far, but over 2 million households experienced power outages, including 700,000 in Tokyo.
In a statement on Twitter, TEPCO also mentioned they are checking operations at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami caused a disaster in the region.
The tsunami that year resulted in approximately 18,500 deaths or missing persons.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio stated that the government is assessing the extent of damage following the quake.
Japan is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making the country prone to frequent earthquakes. As a result, Japan has long had strict building regulations to ensure structures can withstand strong tremors.
