A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook part of northern Japan early Monday, and officials reported no damage or casualties. The Japan Meteorological Agency said it did not issue a tsunami advisory. The U.S. Geological Survey located the tremor about 18 kilometres west of the small town of Sarabetsu on Hokkaido, measured it at magnitude 6.1 and placed the hypocenter at roughly 81 kilometres depth. Authorities continue to monitor conditions, noting the quake caused no immediate disruptions. The event follows a magnitude 7.7 earthquake a week earlier that prompted warnings of a slightly increased risk of a possible megaquake along the nation’s northeastern coast.
