A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake was reported in the Pacific Ocean to the east of Aomori prefecture.
Initial agency information placed the epicenter offshore at a depth of about 80 kilometers. That makes it an undersea quake affecting an area off Japan's northern mainland rather than directly inland.
The early report focused on the earthquake's magnitude, location and depth. Aomori prefecture sits at the northern end of Japan's main island, and offshore seismic activity in the surrounding Pacific is closely monitored by Japanese authorities.
At this stage, the available details identify the event as a moderate offshore earthquake near northern Japan. Further official updates would typically clarify any local effects as more information becomes available.
