Japan continues to be affected by earthquake aftershocks

Many strong aftershocks are continuing to shake the western coast of central Japan, a day after the earthquake left 1 person dead and nearly 200 injured.

One of the aftershocks with a magnitude of 5.3 magnitude, occurred at 719 this morning. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there is no risk of a tsunami, but warns strong aftershocks can continue within a week.

A similar intensity aftershock is also felt in Vanuatu, where an earthquake also occurred on March 25.

While the aftershocks in the island nation of Vanuatu did not cause damage, in Japan, some buildings were affected and many water pipes were broken.

"The government will do its best to help earthquake victims so they can return to normal lives," Prime Minister Shinto Abe said in a meeting today. He said after the earthquake, 68 houses were completely destroyed, 164 other houses were damaged, most in Wajima and surrounding areas. More than 2,500 people spent the night in emergency tents.

Japan is located on 4 tectonic plates and is one of the most frequent earthquakes in the world. In October 2004, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Niigata killing 65 people and injuring more than 3,000; in 2005, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake killed more than 6,400 people in Kobe city .

House collapsed at Yomiuri (Photo: Reuters)

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