Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes Kagoshima, No Tsunami Threat

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake, registering a strong upper 5 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, has struck the southern islands of Kagoshima Prefecture, The Japan Times reported.

This was the first upper-5 quake in Kagoshima since July last year. (Photo: Discover Kagoshima)

The quake measured an upper 5 on Japan’s shindo scale, which ranges from 0 to 7, in the town of Yoron at 11:46 a.m.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was off the coast of Yoron Island at a depth of 50 kilometers. The agency said there was no tsunami threat.

Police in Yoron reported no immediate damage. A seismic intensity of upper 5 can make walking difficult without support and may cause unsecured furniture to topple.

Shaking measuring lower levels was also recorded in nearby towns, while parts of Okinawa Prefecture experienced intensity level 3 tremors.

This was the first upper-5 quake in Kagoshima since July last year, when a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near the Tokara Islands, according to NHK, citing the JMA.