Seismic activity ticks up in southwestern Japan with 2 additional quakes

ANKARA

Earthquakes continued to strike southwestern Japan with the two jolting the region Wednesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported.

The first quake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck the Tokara Islands at 4.32 am local time, followed by one of magnitude 5.6 that struck Kodakara Island at 3.26 pm.

Both islands, where 155 people live in total, are part of the Tokara Island chain in Kagoshima prefecture.

No tsunami warning was issued, and there were no reports of damage or injuries, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

The region has been rocked by strong tremors for nearly two weeks.

The rumblings followed a 5.1 intensity quake on Monday and two measuring 4.0 on Tuesday. Earthquakes with an intensity of 4.0 were also recorded on Wednesday on Kodakara Island.

The region has experienced more than 800 tremors with seismic intensity of at least 1.0 since June 21.

The meteorological agency has warned that additional quakes with an intensity of around 5.0 may occur and urged residents to remain vigilant.

*Writing by Aamir Latif