Magnitude 5 quake hits Japan’s Nagano prefecture

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck the northern part of Nagano prefecture in central Japan on Saturday at 1:20 pm local time. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the quake's epicenter was in Omachi, registering an upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale. This level of intensity can make movement difficult without assistance. Initial reports did not indicate any immediate damage. Earthquakes are common in Japan, a seismically active area that experiences approximately one-fifth of the world's magnitude 6 or greater earthquakes.