Earth Quake Injures 17 in Tokyo

A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo early on Monday, lightly injuring 17 people, but officials stressed there was no risk of a tsunami.

Tokyo inhabitants, set to enjoy a national holiday, were woken shortly after dawn by the quake, which jolted the densely-built apartments and office blocks.

Local media said 17 people injured themselves as they stumbled while trying to take cover, with a 74-year-old Tokyo woman dislocating her shoulder.

Some objects fell from shelves and furniture wobbled, an AFP reporter saw.

The epicentre of the quake, which hit at 5:18 am (2018 GMT Sunday), was near Izu Oshima island southwest of central Tokyo, the Japanese meteorological agency said.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.0, revised upwards from 5.8, and struck at a depth of 155 kilometres (96 miles).

It was the biggest tremblor felt in the Japanese capital since the 9.0-magnitude quake that hit northern Japan in March 2011, unleashing a killer tsunami and triggering the Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Japan Meteorological Agency said quakes of such depth do not usually cause many aftershocks, but warned the public that moderate aftershocks are possible for the next few days.