Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits eastern Japan: USGS
December 20, 2013  23:18
A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Japan today -- causing buildings in Tokyo to shake -- but there was no risk of a tsunami, seismologists said. 

The 67-kilometre deep quake hit the southern part of Honshu's Ibaraki prefecture, north east of the capital Tokyo, at 01:10 am (1610 GMT Friday), the United States Geological Survey reported. 

Its epicentre was 35 kilometres from Tokyo and there were no immediate reports of damage.

The quake, which struck just four kilometres from the city of Abiko, was also recorded by Japan's national weather agency.

Japan lies on the so-called "Ring of Fire", a series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Ocean which create frequent seismic and volcanic activity. 
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