Strong quake jolts northern Japan

TOKYO (AFP) Feb 04, 2004
A strong earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck northern Japan Wednesday, the meteorological agency said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The quake occurred at 3:08 pm (0608 GMT), with its focus 70 kilometersmiles) below sea-level off the coast of Iwate, some 500 kilometers north of Tokyo, the agency said.

There was no danger of tsunami tidal waves, it said.

TERRA.WIRE