Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Local authorities in Kumamoto said the Sunday night earthquake that jolted the Prefecture on June 26 caused no human or house damage as of midnight. The earthquake struck around 9:44 pm, measuring 4.7 or lower five, the fifth-highest level on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, in the town of Misato. 

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter is in the Kumamoto region at a depth of 9 kilometers. The agency also said there were no worries about the tsunami. 

Experts said this earthquake could be an aftershock of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and that aftershock activity is still active. 

At 10:15 pm, Misato Town issued evacuation orders to all 4152 households and 9311 people in the town and opened evacuation centers in the Central Government Building and the Tomo Government Building. Local media reported that JR Kyushu had temporarily suspended operations for safety inspection between Shin-Tamana and Shin-Minamata on the Kyushu Shinkansen.  

Japan Meteorological Agency warned of earthquakes with seismic intensity five lower for about a week in the area where the shaking was strong.