Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Strikes Tokyo Area; 30 injured

A powerful earthquake registering a preliminary magnitude 6.1 shook the Tokyo area on Thursday night, but officials said there was no danger of a tsunami.

The Meteorological Agency said the quake was centered in Chiba prefecture, just east of Tokyo, at a depth of 48 miles.

It caused buildings to sway but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the authorities are investigating possible damage.

He said there were no abnormalities at nuclear power facilities in the area.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings said about 250 homes in downtown Tokyo were out of power and the utility is investigating.

New Prime Minister Fumio Kishida posted a message on Twitter urging people to "check the latest information and take action to protect your lives."

Kishida returned to his office late Thursday to take helm of the government task force.