Japan: M4.9 Quake Strikes Southern Ibaraki, Tremors Felt in Tokyo

An earthquake jolted the greater Tokyo area on Friday, December 12. It struck around 7:05 p.m., with the epicenter in southern Ibaraki Prefecture and an estimated magnitude of 4.9.

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga holds a press conference in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2016, about a report that an earthquake suspected to be an explosion occurred in North Korea. Suga said Tokyo is checking whether Pyongyang conducted nuclear test. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2016, in the wake of a report that an earthquake suspected to be an explosion occurred in North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (C) arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2016, in the wake of a report that an earthquake suspected to be an explosion occurred in North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

Undated file photo shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un giving a nationally televised 2016 New Year's address. It was reported on Jan. 6 that an earthquake suspected to be an explosion occurred in North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

A man in Seoul watches a flash news bulletin on Jan. 6, 2016, after it was reported that an earthquake suspected to be an explosion occurred in North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

An armed police officer stands guard in front of the North Korean Embassy in Beijing on Jan. 6, 2016, when it was reported that an earthquake suspected to be an underground explosion occurred in North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

M4.9 tremor, possible explosion, detected in N. Korea

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Jan. 6, 2016, in the wake of a report that an earthquake suspected to be an explosion occurred in North Korea. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo