Khaldon Azhari Tokyo

A strong earthquake rattled Hokkaido prefecture at 3:14 am on May 31, swaying houses in some cities for up to 20 seconds in the northern semi island.

Japan's metrological agency reported that the magnitude of the trembler was estimated at 5.8 Shindo on the Japanese scale of 7 degrees. The epicenter was off Tokachi city, at a depth of 90 km deep underwater in the Pacific Ocean.

It measured 4 Shindo in most Hokkaido cities, and 3 Shindo or below in the southern region of the island, including Aomori prefecture.

There was no warning of Tsunami, nor any immediate reported damage, human casualties or properties.

In the center of Kushiro City, shaken at 4 Shindo, NHK reported a witness saying they felt a horizontal sway for about 15 seconds.

Similarly, on the 2nd floor of an apartment in the center of Nemuro City, a large sway continued for 20 seconds . There was no reported damage such as falling objects.