Strong Earthquake Jolts Northeastern Japan

Posted July 24th, 2011 at 5:05 pm (UTC-5)
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A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has jolted northeastern Japan in the same region that was devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami in March.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the earthquake hit Fukushima prefecture early Monday. It says the epicenter was at a depth of about 35 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Japan's Honshu island, 280 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.

A magnitude-6.4 quake struck the same area on Saturday. There were no reports of injuries or damage from either quake, and no tsunami warnings were issued.

More than 20,000 people were killed or left missing after the March 11 twin disaster in the region. Another 80,000 have been forced to evacuate their homes because of the radiation threat from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

An opinion poll Sunday showed that 70 percent of the Japanese public supports Prime Minister Naoto Kan's policy to make the country nuclear free in the future. The survey, by the Kyodo news agency, also showed that a vast majority — 67 percent — think the prime minister should leave office by the end of August.

He is under intense pressure to quit from political adversaries who accuse him of an inadequate response to the nuclear crisis caused by the natural disasters.