Earthquake shakes Japan
A magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck off northeastern Japan's Fukushima region on Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, but no tsunami warning was issued. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries after the earthquake, whose epicentre had a depth of 40 kilometres and was also felt in Tokyo. TEPCO, the operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, said "no abnormalities" had been detected at the stricken plant or others in the region. Japan, one of the world's most tectonically active countries, has strict building standards designed to ensure structures can withstand even the most powerful earthquakes. The country experiences around 1,500 jolts every year, the vast majority of which are mild. It comes a day after nine people were killed and more than 1,000 injured by a powerful earthquake in Taiwan. (AFP)