Two strong earthquakes jolted Nagano Prefecture in central Japan on Saturday, with the first measuring a preliminary magnitude of 5.0 followed by another registering magnitude 5.1, the country’s weather agency said.The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of aftershocks on a similar scale over the next week or so. No tsunami warnings were issued.The first major quake occurred at 1.20pm in Omachi and registered upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7, according to the agency.At 2.54pm, another quake registering lower 5 hit Omachi and nearby areas.The Japan Meteorological Agency briefs reporters on the earthquakes in Nagano Prefecture on April 18, 2026. (Kyodo) ==KyodoUpper 5 is defined by the agency as a level at which many people find it difficult to walk.
Magnitude 5 quakes hit Japan’s Nagano prefecture
The quakes struck Omachi at 1.20pm and 2.54pm, with the nation’s weather agency warning of aftershocks over the next week or so.
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