Quake hits Japan

A strong earthquake shook parts of central and eastern Japan today and media reports said two people were slightly hurt. But there were no reports of major damage.

The magnitude 5.3 quake was centred 19 miles below ground in central Shizuoka prefecture, the Meteorological Agency said. There was no danger of tsunami, or undersea waves triggered by volcanic activity or earthquakes.

Shizuoka is about 94 miles west of Tokyo.

The quake struck at 11:57 pm (3:57pm Irish time), and was felt in a total of seven prefectures, including the capital Tokyo where it caused tall buildings to sway slightly.

Two people were slightly injured in Shizuoka City, including a 56-year-old woman who was struck on the head when a table in her home collapsed.