Quake jolts northern Japan

TOKYO (AFP) Oct 09, 2003
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale shook northern Japan early Thursday, the meteorological agency said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The quake occurred in Hokkaido, Japan's northern most prefecture, 750 kilometres (470 miles) north of Tokyo, at 8:15 am (2315 GMT Wednesday) with its focus located in the Pacific some 30 kilometres (19 miles) below sea level.

There was no danger of tsunami tidal waves, the agency said, adding the quake was believed to be an aftershock of two massive earthquakes that hit Hokkaido on September 26.

The first measured 8.0 on the Richter scale, and the second 7.1, injuring nearly 600 people.

TERRA.WIRE