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The quake that hit northern Japan on Sunday caused temporary power outages and train delays. No injuries or damage were reported, and a tsunami advisory was cancelled. A powerful 6.9 magnitude quake rattled northern Japan Sunday evening, followed by several aftershocks, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). A tsunami advisory was issued, but it was later cancelled. Waves measuring 20 centimetres were recorded in some areas. The earthquake hit off the coast of Iwate prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometres below the sea surface, at about 5 pm Japan time (9 am CET). There were no immediate reports...

Radiation in the water will be diluted to almost-background levels, but some researchers are not sure this will be sufficient to mitigate the risks.Despite concerns from several nations and international groups, Japan is pressing ahead with plans to release water contaminated by the 2011 meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Starting sometime this year and continuing for the next 30 years, Japan will slowly release treated water stored in tanks at the site into the ocean through a pipeline extending one kilometre from the coast. But just how safe is the water to the...

Japan to plant coral island in the Pacific By Julian Ryall in Tokyo Last Updated: 12:01am BST 10/04/2008 Japanese scientists will attempt to "grow" an island in the Pacific Ocean to maintain its fishing territory. Up to 50,000 shards of coral will be transplanted into the waters around Okinotorishima, two stone outcrops 1,000 miles south of Tokyo, in an effort to stop them sinking. The outcrops sit just 4in above water at high tide. If they disappear, Japan's maritime territory will shrink dramatically. addition, rights to oil, minerals and gas beneath the seabed could be lost. However, the £3.6 million...