A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck parts of northern Japan early Monday, though authorities reported no damage or casualties. The Japan Meteorological Agency said no tsunami advisory was issued following the tremor, indicating no immediate threat to coastal areas.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake hit about 18 kilometres west of the small town of Sarabetsu on Hokkaido – Japan’s northernmost main island – at a depth of 81 kilometres. The USGS measured the quake’s magnitude slightly lower at 6.1.

Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, and earthquakes of varying intensity are common across its islands. Authorities routinely monitor such events closely for any signs of aftershocks or potential secondary hazards.

The latest tremor comes just a week after a stronger 7.7 magnitude earthquake prompted Japanese authorities to issue an advisory warning of a slightly heightened risk of a possible megaquake along the country’s northeastern coastal regions.

Several port towns, including Otsuchi and Kamaishi, had issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Footage aired on NHK showed ships sailing out of Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in anticipation of the waves as a 'Tsunami! Evacuate!' alert flashed across the screen. A 3-metre tsunami could cause damage to low-lying areas, flooding buildings, and anybody exposed would be caught in its currents, according to JMA.

As the quake measured an 'upper 5' on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which is strong enough to make it difficult for people to move around and cause unreinforced concrete-block walls to collapse, authorities warned residents to stay away from coastal zones as waves were expected to reach shore.

Source: ANI