Japan: Shinkansen Makes Emergency Stop as Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake Strikes Kanto Region

A strong earthquake struck a wide area of eastern Japan on Tuesday evening, June 16, registering a maximum seismic intensity of 5-lower on the Japanese scale in parts of Gunma and Saitama prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake had a magnitude of 5.5, with its epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers. No tsunami warning was issued. Areas recording the highest intensity included Ota City and Chiyoda Town in Gunma Prefecture, and Kazo City, Honjo City, and Misato Town in Saitama Prefecture. The footage was captured inside a Shinkansen bullet train running through Honjo City, making an emergency stop.

Rugby: Scrum-half Tanaka to retire at season-end

Rugby: Scrum-half Tanaka to retire at season-end

Former Japan scrum-half Fumiaki Tanaka (C) poses for a photo with Kotaro Matsushima (L) and Rikiya Matsuda, his former teammates with the Japan national team, during a press conference in Tokyo on April 24, 2024. Tanaka announced his decision to retire at the end of his current League One rugby season with second-division Green Rockets Tokatsu.

Rugby: Scrum-half Tanaka to retire at season-end

Rugby: Scrum-half Tanaka to retire at season-end

Former Japan scrum-half Fumiaki Tanaka (L) weeps as national teammate Kotaro Matsushima appears during a press conference in Tokyo on April 24, 2024. Tanaka announced his decision to retire at the end of the League One rugby season with second-division Green Rockets Tokatsu.

Hyogo gubernatorial race

Hyogo gubernatorial race

KOBE, Japan - Combination photo shows Hyogo Gov. Toshizo Ido, 67, (R), and Kotaro Tanaka, 64, an official of a political group related to the Japanese Communist Party, during stump speeches in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on July 4, 2013, the day official campaigning started for the July 21 gubernatorial election. Ido is seeking a fourth four-year term, while Tanaka is challenging Ido for the second time.

Kotaro Kake, head of new veterinary school

Kotaro Kake, head of new veterinary school

Kotaro Kake, head of the Kake Educational Institution and a close friend of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, attends figure skater Keiji Tanaka's send-off ceremony in the city of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 28, 2017, ahead of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo