A strong earthquake shook Tokyo and other areas of eastern Japan on Friday, but no tsunami warning was issued.
The magnitude 6.1 quake was centered off the east coast of Chiba Peninsula at a depth of 44.5 kilometers (28 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said
Train services were stopped briefly in the area and runways at Narita Airport, an international gateway to Tokyo, were closed temporarily when the jolt hit, AFP reported.
Moments before Tokyo residents felt shaking, the nation’s advance warning system for earthquakes prompted television networks to alert the arrival of a potentially large shake, AFP report added
“It was like being on a boat floating on water — sideways rocking that seemed to go on for more than 30 seconds,” said a presenter on public broadcaster NHK.
Japan has strict construction regulations intended to ensure buildings can withstand strong quakes, and routinely holds emergency drills to prepare for major disasters.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is also currently in Japan and President’s Director for International Relations Dinouk Colombage tweeted “Experienced this earthquake first-hand, certainly haven’t felt one of this magnitude before”.