Powerful Earthquake Hits Japan, Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 7.1 quake has hit 140 km north of the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant.

More terrible news for Japan. A strong aftershock has been reported in the same region that was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami March 11. Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for a one-metre wave, and announcers for the national broadcaster told residents on the northeastern coast to run to higher ground. In Tokyo, 345 km from the epicentre of the quake, buildings shook and power was cut. Operators at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant said there was no sign of power outages as a result of the aftershock. The March 11 quake knocked out power to cooling systems at the plant, sparking a nuclear crisis that has yet to be brought under control.