Three strong earthquakes hit north-western Japan

Three strong earthquakes shook north-western Japan within minutes of each other today, rocking buildings hundreds of miles away in Tokyo. Authorities had received reports that several people were injured.

The quakes – the first of which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and struck at 5.56pm local time (9.56am Irish time) – were centred near Ojiya city around 12 miles below ground, the Meteorological Agency said. Ojiya is located in Niigata prefecture, 160 miles north west of Tokyo.