An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.5 shook eastern Japan on Tuesday, rattling the capital, Tokyo. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake occurred at 7:46 p.m. local time in the southern Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles).
Officials stated there was no danger of a tsunami following the tremor. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has not yet reported any damage or injuries. However, East Japan Railway Co. announced the temporary suspension of Shinkansen bullet trains serving northeastern regions for safety inspections. Japanese media also reported that parts of the Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines experienced power outages as a result of the earthquake.
Japan is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for its high frequency of seismic activity.