A strong earthquake has struck Western Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the magnitude 6.2 quake occurred in eastern Shimane Prefecture. In Shimane and Tottori prefectures, the quake had an intensity of upper 5 on the Japanese scale of 0 to 7 in the hardest-hit areas.

Japan's nuclear watchdog is scrapping the safety screening for two reactors at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant.