Another strong quake jolts northern Japan
The tremor occurred just one hundred miles from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, which was crippled by a powerful quake and ensuing tsunami earlier in March.
The epicenter of the new quake was registered at a depth of 18.2 kilometers (11.3 miles). No tsunami warning was issued after the latest earthquake.
Aftershocks continue to rock Japan after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami shook the country on March 11. The confirmed death count in the devastating twin disaster is over 11,000 while more than 16,000 people are still missing.
The March 11 quake also triggered a number of explosions at the coastal Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant causing radiation leaks and evacuation of tens of thousands of residents within 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the plant.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said on Tuesday that the quake, tsunami and the nuclear accident were the biggest crises for Japan in decades and could cost the country up to $310 billion in damages.
Meanwhile, fears of new strong quakes in Japan remain as the whole Pacific region continues to experience abnormally high seismic activity. Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version