M5.9 quake strikes near Okinawa in southern Japan

A strong earthquake has hit southern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the magnitude 5.9 quake struck near Okinawa Main Island, and had an intensity of upper 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 in the hardest-hit areas. There is no threat of tsunami.

The agency says the quake struck at a depth of 50 kilometers. Yoron Town in Kagoshima Prefecture saw the strongest shaking. Officials are warning that subsequent earthquakes may follow. The agency's Ebita Ayataka said, "In areas where the tremor was particularly strong, please remain on alert for earthquakes with an intensity of up to upper 5 for about a week. Over the next two to three days in particular, there is a possibility of strong earthquakes."

The agency added that there is an increased risk of falling rocks or landslides in areas that saw the strongest shaking. Officials say quakes of magnitude 5 or higher happen occasionally in the region.

nhk