5.4-magnitude earthquake rocks southwestern Japan islands as temblors continue

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 struck off the Tokara island chain in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima on Saturday, the latest in a series of temblors in the area, the country's weather agency said.

The quake, which occurred at 6:29 a.m. local time, measured upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 on Akusekijima, part of the Tokara island chain, said the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The weather agency said the temblor originated at a depth of 19 km, but there is no threat of tsunami.

A magnitude 5.5 quake measuring lower 6 of the Japanese scale was logged in the same area on Thursday, prompting the village of Toshima, consisting of seven inhabited islands and five uninhabited ones, to evacuate those willing to leave Akusekijima.

Seismic activities have been increasing in the Tokara island chain region, with over 1,200 felt earthquakes detected since June 21, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The first group of 13 residents of Akusekijima, which has experienced strong shaking throughout the period, evacuated to Kagoshima City on the main island of Kyushu via ferry on Friday, the report said.