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Page last updated at 12:40 GMT, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 13:40 UK

Earthquake rocks eastern Japan

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake has rocked eastern Japan, shaking buildings in the capital Tokyo.

There were no immediate reports of damage, and Japan's Meteorological Agency said there was no risk of a tsunami.

The earthquake was centred off the country's eastern coast, the agency said.

Japan is regularly hit by earthquakes, and local authorities are usually well prepared to handle their aftermath.

The focus of the tremor was 40 km (25 miles) below the sea off Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, the agency said.

According to Kyodo news agency, runways at Tokyo's Narita airport were temporarily shut but have now reopened.

Some high-speed train services were also temporarily suspended.



SEE ALSO
In pictures: Kobe 10 years on
17 Jan 05 |  In Pictures
Japan's earthquake watch
25 Oct 04 |  Asia-Pacific
Deadly history of earthquakes
22 Feb 05 |  Special Reports
How earthquakes happen
01 Jun 09 |  Science & Environment
Country profile: Japan
09 Aug 05 |  Country profiles

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