Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Chiba Prefecture to the east of Tokyo continued to be rocked by earthquakes on Friday night, with one registering a 5.0 on the Richter Scale. More than 20 earthquakes have struck the area within a two-day period.

A fairly strong earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 4 struck at 1:49 a.m. on March 2, but no damage was reported immediately.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was in southern Chiba Prefecture, approximately 20 km deep, with a magnitude of 5.0.

Moderate to strong shaking, with some articles falling from shelves, was experienced in Chiba Prefecture around Narita Airport, a resident told Arab News Japan. However, he said the quake in that area was not strong enough to cause the furniture to move or fall over. 

Buildings in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures swayed, but there was no major shaking or damage. 

The government’s Earthquake Research Committee warned that further earthquakes with epicenters off the eastern coast of Chiba Prefecture are likely to occur soon.

Seismic activity has been increasing in and around the area since midnight on February 26, including an 5.2 magnitude earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 4 that occurred around 5:45 a.m. on Friday.

Local media quoted the Earthquake Research Committee’s Chairman HIRATA Naoki as saying, “We believe there is a high possibility that stronger earthquakes may occur during the next several weeks to several months.”

He advised residents to review and upgrade their earthquake preparations.