Strong earthquake hits Japan

Authorities were looking into possible casualties and damage after a strong earthquake hit Friday afternoon near central Japan, but there were no reports of a tsunami threat. Government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that authorities were checking into possible casualties, putting human life first.

There was a report of buildings being damaged, but details were still being confirmed, he said.The 6.2 quake struck Ishikawa prefecture at 2:42 p.m. near the central west coast of the main Japanese island of Honshu, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s earthquake information center.

The Japan Meteorological Agency put the preliminary magnitude at 6.3, but later raised it to 6.5. They measured the depth at about 12 kilometers. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said two people were reported hurt in Ishikawa’s Suzu City, on the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula.