World
7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Japan coast, triggers blackouts
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit off the coast of eastern Japan, shaking buildings and triggering widespread blackouts. No major damage and no tsunami warning were issued.
The epicentre of the earthquake was off the coast of Fukushima prefecture at a depth of 60 km (36 miles).
About 950,000 households lost power, government spokesman Katsunobu Kato said.
Japan accounts for about 20 per cent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater
